The board of directors or a number of shareholders representing at least 25% of the capital may request the replacement of the auditor during the financial year. The board of directors shall invite the ordinary general assembly to convene to consider the request after the lapse of fifteen days from the date it is submitted. The request shall be sent during this period to the auditor to prepare his reply thereto in writing, and such reply shall be sent to the company at least five days before the general assembly meeting. The chairman of the board of directors or the board member representing him shall read the request and the reasons thereof and the auditor's reply thereto before the general assembly in order to pass a resolution thereon. Any resolution passed for replacing the auditor in breach of these procedures shall be null and void.