If any consolidation plan approved by the voters shall involve a special charter for the consolidated municipality, the governing bodies of the participating municipality shall, forthwith upon the approval by the voters of such consolidation plan, petition the Legislature, pursuant to Article IV, Section VII, Paragraph 10, of the Constitution, for the special charter set forth in the Commission’s report. Such special charter shall set forth the date of election of the first officers of the consolidated municipality, and the manner in which such charter shall be ratified in order for it to become operative.

L.1977, c. 435, s. 26, eff. March 1, 1978.