44. (1) On Monday of the second week prior to that of the annual enumeration or immediately after the issue of the writ, the returning-officer, by commission under his hand in form 3, shall appoint an election-clerk.
(2) He may at any time appoint, in the same manner, a person to replace such election-clerk if he resigns or refuses or is unable to perform his duties.
(3) Every election-clerk, immediately after his appointment, shall make oath in the form 4 well and faithfully to perform his duties without partiality or favour.
(4) Within five days after his appointment, he shall deliver a duplicate of such oath to the returning-officer.