Any candidate whose name appeared on a Primary, Runoff Primary or General Election ballot, or any individual authorized to request a recount pursuant to Section 8-111 of this title may, at any time before 5:00 p.m. Friday next following an election, contest the correctness of the announced results of said election by filing a written petition with the appropriate election board. Contests alleging irregularities or fraud shall not be permitted in any election except those in which candidates are seeking office. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit any proceedings in district court, which are otherwise authorized by law, alleging irregularities or fraud in an election.