(a) The bylaws of an electric membership corporation may provide for the appointment of a credentials and elections committee composed of members who are not officers or directors of the electric membership corporation or candidates for such positions. This committee shall be responsible for the counting of all ballots or votes cast and for ruling on the effect of any ballots or votes irregularly marked or cast and on all other questions that may arise relating to member voting and the election of directors, including, but not limited to, the validity of petitions of nomination or qualification of candidates and the regularity of the nomination and election of directors. The procedures for the appointment and qualification of the members of such committee shall be as provided in the bylaws authorizing and establishing such committee. Any committee member related within the third degree by affinity or consanguinity, computed according to the civil law, to any candidate for director shall refrain from participating in any deliberation or vote of the committee concerning such candidate.

(b) On request of the person presiding at the meeting of the members or on the request of any member entitled to vote thereat, such committee shall make a report in writing of any challenge, question, count, or matter determined by the committee and shall execute a certificate of any fact found by them. Any such report or certificate made by them shall be prima-facie evidence of the facts stated and of the vote as certified by them.