On the first Monday after any election other than the first election herein provided for, the board of directors shall meet at the office of the district and canvass the returns. If at such time it shall appear that returns from any precinct have not been received the canvass shall be postponed from day to day until same have been received or until six postponements have been had. The canvass shall be made publicly and the result thereof shall be formally declared by the board of directors and entered upon its minutes.