The Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (b) If, at any time after the date of Proclamation referred to in paragraph (a), and before the close of the poll at the election held in pursuance of such Proclamation, the President in office dies, such Proclamation shall be deemed to have been revoked with effect from the date of such death and the election to be held in of be to be cancelled. in of by be filled in with the of 40. (c) (i) If, at any time between the close of the poll at an election held under this paragraph and the declaration of the result of such election, a candidate at such election dies, the Commissioner of Elections shall proceed with the count and declare the result of such election, notwithstanding the death of such candidate. (ii) If the person entitled to be declared elected as President is dead at the time of the of the result of such election, the Commissioner of Elections shall not declare the result of such election but shall take a fresh poll for the election of the President. (iii) If by reason of the death referred to in subparagraph (i) there is a vacancy in the office of President, the Prime Minister shall act in the office of President during the period between the occurrence of such vacancy and the assumption of office by the new President and shall appoint one of the other Ministers of the Cabinet to act in the office of Prime Minister: Provided that if the office of Prime Minister be then vacant or the Prime Minister is unable to act, the Speaker shall act in the office of President. (d) The person declared elected as President at an election held under this paragraph shall, if such person – is the President in office, hold office 23[for a term of five years] commencing on such date in the year in which that election is held (being a date after such election) or in the succeeding year, as corresponds to the date on which his first term of commenced, whichever date is earlier; or 24 (ii) is not the President in hold [for a term of five years] commencing on the date on which the result of such election is declared. (i) 23 - Substituted by the Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution Sec. 4(2)(b) for “six years”. 24 - Substituted by the Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution Sec. 4(2)(b) for “six years”. 21