At the canvass of the ballots in any precinct in any city where such proposition has been submitted, it shall be the duty of such judges of election, on request, to admit to the room two electors of the ward who voted in favor of such proposition and two who voted against it, as special watchers of such canvass; and said judges and the police officer or other officer of the law present shall protect such watchers and see that they are not excluded, and at the time of such canvass of the ballots cast for or against such proposition such watchers shall be entitled to a position where they can plainly see and read each ballot, and it shall be the duty of such judges to grant and protect them in such position.