Consent to act as director is required; timely filing determines when an appointee may lawfully act as director. A candidate for directorship must sign and file with the company a written consent to act if appointed. Additionally, appointed or re-appointed directors-subject to specified exceptions such as immediate reappointment after retirement by rotation, additional or alternate directors, and casual vacancy appointees-must sign and file a written consent with the Registrar within the prescribed period. The Registrar filing requirement does not apply to private companies unless they are subsidiaries of a public company.