Immediately after the canvass of the general election returns by the county canvassing board, the county auditor shall prepare a certificate of election for each of the persons having the highest number of votes for county offices and shall deliver the certificate to the person entitled thereto on the person’s making application to the county auditor therefor. If the election results indicate that any candidate is entitled to a recount or to demand a recount pursuant to section 16.1-16-01, the county auditor may not prepare or deliver the certificate of election until the time to demand a recount has expired or the recount results have been determined and the winner declared, whichever is later.