17(2)The election clerk shall assist the returning officer in the performance of his duties, and if the returning officer dies, refuses to act, or is disqualified or unable to perform his duties, the election clerk shall, until the appointment of a new returning officer, or until the returning officer again becomes able to act, perform the duties of the returning officer, and any act done by the election clerk under the authority of this section shall have the same effect as if it had been done by the returning officer.