In the event of a vacancy, the seat of a full member is filled by the alternate member. A vacancy is established in particular when the full members cease to hold office or when they no longer fulfil the conditions required to be eligible for election to the Association Council.
If one or more vacant full member seats cannot be filled, the competent council may hold a by-election within six months of the vacancy occurring. For the Regional Councils of Section A, the timetable for these elections is coordinated by the Central Council of the same section.
The members then elected remain in office until the date on which their term of office would have expired.