Section 22. Assistant returning officers.

(1) The Election Commission may appoint one or more persons to assist any returning officer in the performance of his functions: Provided that every such person shall be 1[an officer of Government or of a local authority.] (2) Every assistant returning officer shall, subject to the control of the returning officer, be competent to perform all or any of the functions of the returning officer: Provided that no assistant returning officer shall perform any of the functions of the returning officer which relate 2*** to the scrutiny of nominations 3*** unless the returning officer is unavoidably prevented from performing the said function.