The primary election for the general election shall be conducted by the district boards substantially in the same manner as the general election, except as herein otherwise provided.
Each district board may allow one member thereof at a time to be absent from the polling place or room for a period not exceeding one hour between the hours of one o'clock and five o'clock in the afternoon or for such shorter time as it shall see fit; but at no time from the opening of the polls to the completion of the canvass shall there be less than a majority of the board present in the polling room or place.