The manner of conducting and voting at elections of a city or town, of keeping the poll lists, counting and canvassing the votes, certifying the returns, declaring the results and notifying the persons elected, contesting the election, and all acts relating to the election, shall conform to the provisions of law relating to the general election of county officers as nearly as possible, except that the returns shall be made to the clerk of the city or town, and the governing body of the city or town shall canvass the returns, declare the result and issue the certificates of the election.