(a) When a vacancy occurs in the office of judge of the probate court in any county, it shall be the duty of the person who assumes the duties of the judge, as provided in Code Section 15-9-10, within ten days after the vacancy occurs, to order a special election for the purpose of filling the vacancy. He shall give notice of the special election by publication in the newspaper in which the citations of the judge of the probate court are published. The special election shall be held in accordance with Chapter 2 of Title 21.

(b) The person elected to fill the vacancy shall be commissioned for the unexpired term.