Should there be a failure by the people, for any cause, to hold any city election at the time or in the manner hereinbefore prescribed, or to elect any officer herein required to be elected on the day designated, the city council may order a new election to be held, fourteen days notice of the time and place being given, by publishing the notice thereof in the official city paper, and by posting thereof in three of the most public places in the city; provided, that no failure of the city clerk to give the notice of election specified herein shall in any manner invalidate any general election.