(a) General rule.--On the first Monday of January following the municipal election, the members of the municipal council shall assemble at the usual place of meeting, organize and elect one of their number as mayor or president of council or chairman unless otherwise provided. The mayor or president of council or chairman shall be chosen by ballot by majority vote of all members of the municipal council. If the members shall be unable, within five ballots to be taken within two days of the organization meeting, to elect a mayor or president of council or chairman, then the member who in the election for members of the municipal council received the greatest number of votes shall be the mayor, president of council or chairman. If that person declines to accept the office, then the person receiving the next highest vote shall be the mayor, president of council or chairman and so on until the office is filled. The mayor or president of council or chairman shall preside at all meetings of the municipal council and shall have a voice and vote in its proceedings.

(b) Election of mayor.--On the recommendation of the government study commission as provided under section 2924 (relating to specificity of recommendations) or as specified in an initiative petition or ordinance of the governing body as authorized by sections 2942 (relating to initiation of amendment by electors or council), 2943 (relating to petition for referendum or ordinance proposing amendment) and 2944 (relating to time and manner of submission of question), the mayor shall be elected directly by the electors at the regular municipal election in lieu of being chosen as provided in subsection (a).

Cross References. Section 3056 is referred to in section 3052 of this title.