The election returns from each municipal election precinct shall be filed with the city clerk, who shall immediately place them in the safe or vault in the city clerk’s office, and no person shall be permitted to handle, inspect, examine, or in any manner interfere with the same until canvassed by the city council. After having been canvassed, they shall be sealed up and kept by the city clerk for six months, and no person shall have access to them, except on the order of a court of competent jurisdiction.

On the first Monday after the election and at their usual time and place of meeting, the city council shall meet and canvass the returns and declare the results.