Any political subdivision of this state may adopt the provisions of this part in the manner hereinafter provided. The legislative body or, if there is no such body, the administrative officers of such political subdivision may and, upon petition of electors of such subdivision in number not less than ten per cent of the total number of votes cast therein at the election last preceding, shall submit the question of adopting the provisions of this part in such departments of such political subdivision as such body or officers determine or as such petition requests, as the case may be, to a vote of the electors thereof at the next regular election, or at a special meeting called for such purpose, in the manner provided in § 9-369. The designation of such question upon the voting tabulator ballot shall be “Shall a Merit System for selecting and promoting public employees be adopted?”.