On death, resignation, or notice not to oppose of respondent, the petition to continue

(1) If before the trial of an election petition a respondent dies or resigns, or gives notice in writing to the court that he does not intend to oppose the petition, the petition shall not be abated but shall continue whether or not any person applies to be admitted as respondent as hereinafter provided. (2) Notice of the fact that a respondent had died or resigned or that he has given notice in writing that he does not intend to oppose the petition, shall be published in the Gazette by the (3) Any person who might have been a petitioner in respect of the election to which the petition relates may apply to the judge to be admitted as a respondent to oppose the petition within ten days after such notice has been published in the Gazette or such further time as the judge may allow. (4) The manner and time of the respondent’s giving notice to the court that he does not intend to oppose the petition, shall be by leaving notice thereof in writing at the office of the Registrar, signed by the respondent not less than six days before the day appointed for trial, exclusive of the day of leaving such notice.