The officer with whom the original petition was filed shall in the first instance pass upon the validity of such objection in a summary way unless an order shall be made in the matter by a court of competent jurisdiction and for this purpose such officer shall have power to subpoena witnesses and take testimony or depositions. The officer shall file a determination in writing in the officer's office on or before the ninth day after the last day for the filing of petitions, which determination shall be open for public inspection.
N.J.S. § 19:23-20.2