If the Apostles didn’t lay hands on the candidates, then they were not appointed.
We also see Paul tell Timothy not to lay hands on anyone hastily, so the power of appointment is handed on to the appointed.
“Do not lay hands upon anyone too hastily and thereby share responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself free from sin.” 1 Tim 5:22
Timothy was appointed Bishop of Ephesus.
This fits with Clements account explaining Apostolic succession.
“And thus preaching through countries and cities, they appointed the first-fruits [of their labours], having first proved them by the Spirit, to be bishops and deacons of those who should afterwards believe. Nor was this any new thing, since indeed many ages before it was written concerning bishops and deacons. For thus saith the Scripture a certain place, ‘I will appoint their bishops s in righteousness, and their deacons in faith.’… Our apostles also knew, through our Lord Jesus Christ, and there would be strife on account of the office of the episcopate. For this reason, therefore, inasmuch as they had obtained a perfect fore-knowledge of this, they appointed those [ministers] already mentioned, and afterwards gave instructions, that when these should fall asleep, other approved men should succeed them in their ministry…For our sin will not be small, if we eject from the episcopate those who have blamelessly and holily fulfilled its duties.” Pope Clement, Epistle to Corinthians, 42, 44 (A.D. 98).
Clement was ordained by Peter personally and was the co worker of Paul mentioned in Scripture.
True leadership of the Church happens by a lineage of successors through the laying on of hands, not just by democratic election of the community.