(A) A resolution for a merger under this chapter may be proposed by initiative petition by the electors of each township being proposed for merger, and adopted by election by these electors under the same circumstances, in the same manner, and subject to the same penalties as provided by sections 731.28 to 731.40 and 731.99 of the Revised Code for municipal corporations, except that all of the following apply:

1. (1) Each board of township trustees shall perform the duties imposed on the legislative authority of the municipal corporation under those sections;
2. (2) Initiative petitions shall be filed with the township fiscal officer of each township proposed for merger, who shall perform the duties imposed under those sections upon the city auditor or village clerk;
3. (3) Initiative petitions shall contain the signatures of not less than ten per cent of the total number of electors in a township proposed for merger who voted for the office of governor at the most recent general election in the township for that office;
4. (4) Each signer of an initiative petition shall be an elector of the township in which the election on the proposed resolution is to be held.