(A) Newly elected officers (Mayor and Council members) shall not be qualified pursuant to South Carolina law, until at least 48 hours after the closing of the election polls.
(B) Newly elected officers shall take office January 1 following the general election. In case the results of the election are contested, the incumbent who fills that contested office shall hold over until the contest is finally determined.
(C) In the event a special election is held to fill a vacancy in either the Mayor’s office or a Council member’s position, the newly elected officer to fill the vacancy shall take office in the first regular meeting of the Town Council following his or her election.
(1982 Code, Ch. 2, Art. I, § 1-4)