If the officer sought to be removed fails to resign within five days after the recall petition is filed, and the petition requests a special municipal election to be held, the council shall cause a special municipal elec-tion to be held within not less than thirty nor more than forty-five days after the filing of said petition, to determine whether said officer shall be recalled, but if a general or special municipal election is to occur within sixty days after the filing of said petition, the council may postpone the holding of such election to such general or special election.