(1)  For the purposes of this Act –

(a) an alternate member is to be appointed for each member of the –

(i) Redistribution Committee except the Electoral Commissioner; and

(ii) Redistribution Tribunal except those members who are members of the Electoral Commission; and

(b) appointments of alternate members are to be made –

(i) when the Committee and the Tribunal are first appointed under section 4 ; and

(ii) if subsequently there is a vacancy in the office of a member or alternate member, on a request made to the Governor by the Committee or the Tribunal; and

(c) an alternate member must have the same qualifications as the member for whom he or she is an alternate or must be acting in, or performing the duties of, that member's office; and

(d) .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  

(2)  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  

(3)  An alternate member is to act as a member of the Redistribution Committee or the Redistribution Tribunal only if the member for whom he or she is an alternate dies or only while that member –

(a) is absent from a meeting of the Committee or the Tribunal; or

(b) is incapable of acting as a member.

(4)  Where an alternate member acts as a member of the Redistribution Committee or the Redistribution Tribunal –

(a) he or she may exercise all the powers of the member for whom he or she is an alternate member; and

(b) all things done or omitted to be done by the alternate member are as valid, and have the same consequences, as if they had been done or omitted to be done by the member for whom he or she is an alternate member.