The provisions of the general election laws relative to the holding of elections, the appointment of judges and clerks of election, the registration of voters, the solicitation of voters at the polls, the manner of conducting elections, the officers and duties thereof at elections, the counting of ballots and making returns of the results, the canvassing of returns, and all other provisions relating to general elections shall apply to elections held under this act so far as they are applicable and consistent with the provisions hereof, the intention of this act being to place the holding of elections for county consolidations under protection and regulation of general laws now in force, as far as possible, adding thereto the special features herein contained.