Procedure following elections; challenges and objections

(a) Upon the conclusion of any election or elections, whether ordered or by consent, the board or its agent or a person duly designated by the board to conduct the election shall prepare a report as to the result of the election or elections and, in cases where the right of an employee to vote has been challenged and the challenged ballots are sufficient in number to affect the result of the election, the report shall contain a plain statement of the grounds for the challenge. The agent shall cause this report to be served upon the parties. (b) Within five (5) days thereafter, any party who intends to make an objection shall serve upon all other parties, with proof of service, and file with the board an original and four (4) copies of objections to the election or elections or to the report thereon. The objections shall contain a plain statement of the grounds of objection. The board may, either with or without a hearing, make its determination with respect to the objections or to any challenged ballots. Any defect in making objections warrants their dismissal by the board but shall not deprive the board of jurisdiction to entertain the objections in spite of such defect wherever the board deems that justice so requires.