Section 44E. The election officers shall, immediately upon the closing of the polls at preliminary elections, count the ballots and ascertain the number of votes cast in the several voting places for each candidate, and forthwith make return thereof upon blanks to be furnished, as in regular elections, to the city clerk who shall canvass said returns and shall forthwith determine the result thereof, insert the same in one or more newspapers published in the city, and post the same in a conspicuous place in the city hall.