1. In convents where only one socius is to be elected, the election is held according to the manner indicated in n. 452.
2. In convents where several socii are to be elected (see n. 490, § II), a secret vote must be cast to determine whether they are to be elected all together or one after the other.
3. If the majority agree, there can be a discussion about the candidates before the election.
4. The election is to take place as follows:
   1. if the socii are elected all together, the election is to be terminated in the seventh ballot, in which a relative majority suffices;
   2. if they are elected one after the other and if by the third ballot no candidate has been given a clear majority of votes, in the fourth and last ballot the candidates are reduced to two: those who have received the most votes in the previous ballot, with due regard for n 450, §III.

1. The election must be held within the time limit laid down by the prior provincial.
2. It pertains to the subprior, with the consent of the voters in accordance with nn. 461 and 462, to set the date of the election as well as to preside over it.

1. The electors are the brothers with active voice and assigned to the convent even if they live habitually outside the convent of their assignation. Those, however, who, in accordance with n. 497, § II, have been joined to a particular electoral college, are not to be counted among the number for determining the socii of a prior going to a provincial chapter (see n. 458, § II).
2. Those, however, who, under any title whatsoever, are already included among the voters at a provincial chapter cannot participate in the aforesaid election.

Specialists may be present at a provincial chapter, as determined by the province, but with consultative voice only.

An appointed prior is bound to give his acceptance or refusal of the office in writing in the same way as an elected prior (see nn. 469-471).

If a prior provincial does not appoint a prior within a month from the date of notification that the right of appointment has been ceded to him, the right of providing for the office devolves upon the Master of the Order.

1. The letter by which an election is cassated or a postulation is rejected or it is announced that a refusal has been allowed, shall be sent to the person who presided over the election, and he shall be informed if a new election shall take place (see Appendix, n. 22).
2. When this letter is received, if a new election is to be held, the president must convoke the electors within a month, in accordance with n. 461.
3. The new election shall be held under the presidency of the subprior or the brother already elected in accordance with n. 463, with the same secretary and tellers as in the preceding election and observing the same procedure except for the obligation to celebrate the Mass of the Holy Spirit.

When turning down an election or postulation, the prior provincial shall always state expressly in writing that he is cassating the aforesaid election or postulation (see Appendix n. 22); otherwise, the voters cannot proceed to a new election.

1. The one elected shall sign in his own hand his acceptance or refusal on the letter of confirmation itself, and shall indicate the date; this shall be done before two witnesses who shall also sign the letter.
2. If he refuses, he shall explain the reasons for his refusal to the prior provincial.
3. One who refuses or who, within five days of receiving the letter of confirmation, has not accepted, loses every right resulting from the confirmation.

Before confirming an election, the prior provincial is obliged to seek the consent:

1. of the Master of the Order if the one elected or postulated is assigned to a convent subject to the immediate jurisdiction of the Master of the Order;
2. of the prior provincial of the province of assignation if the one elected or postulated is assigned in another province (cf. 270 § I); and also of the prior provincial of the province of affiliation, if he is assigned outside the province of his affiliation.