The candidate or individual authorized to request a recount pursuant to Section 8-111 of this title shall be authorized to commission in writing no more than one agent in each county wherein the recount is being conducted to act in his behalf. Said commission shall be filed with the secretary of the appropriate county election board. The same authority shall be granted to any contestee. Such agent, or agents, shall have full authority to act on behalf of the contestant he is commissioned to represent in the absence of said contestant.