In case no election shall be held of commissioners of any community ditch or acequia on the first Monday of December as provided by law, the commissioners holding office during the preceding year shall call and hold an election as soon as practicable thereafter, and give at least five days notice thereof by posting not less than six notices on the line of said ditch or acequia, stating the place and time of the election; said election to be conducted in the manner provided for the regular annual elections, and under existing provisions of law relative to such elections and the votes thereat. In case the commissioners shall refuse or neglect to call and hold said elections within a reasonable time, any three or more of those entitled to vote thereat may call such election and hold the same in the manner and under the provisions aforesaid, and the three persons receiving the highest number of votes at such election shall be the commissioners of the said ditch or acequia until their successors are regularly elected and qualified.