Upon or after the adoption of an initial resolution by the governing body, or at the first meeting of the governing body held after the filing of a petition and proposed initial resolution by the qualified electors as specified in subsection 2 of section 21-03-10, the governing body by resolution shall provide for submitting to the qualified electors of the municipality the question whether the initial resolution shall be approved. The date of the election must be not less than twenty days after the passage of the initial resolution by the governing body or in the filing of a sufficient petition therefor by the qualified electors. The governing body shall designate the date of the election, the polling hours, and polling place, which must be the same as for municipal elections therein, and shall appoint an inspector, two judges, and two clerks of election for each polling place. In case of the absence of any election official, or the official’s inability to act at the opening of the polls, the remaining election officials for the polling place shall appoint a qualified elector to fill the vacancy. The election must be conducted and the returns thereof made and canvassed as in the case of elections of members of the governing body of the municipality.