The burden of proof shall be upon the petitioner to sustain the allegations in his petition. However, failure of the contestee to appear or answer thereto shall be deemed to place him in default, and shall constitute an admission of the allegations of the petition, in which event, if the board determines that the factual allegations of the petition constitute appropriate grounds for disqualification, such contestee's candidacy shall be stricken.
Laws 1974, c. 153, § 5-130, operative Jan. 1, 1975.