(a) A protest in writing, under oath, may be filed with the city clerk by a registered elector, not later than 20 days after the city clerk has issued an initial determination of sufficiency, setting forth with particularity the grounds of such protest and the names protested. No such protest shall be accepted by the city clerk until an initial determination of sufficiency has been issued. The city clerk shall mail a copy of such protest to the petition representatives and/or to the protest representatives, together with a notice fixing a time for hearing such protest not less than ten nor more than 20 days after such notice is mailed.

(b) Upon the filing of any protest with the city clerk, all proceedings upon the Charter amendment initiative petition shall be suspended until final disposition of such protest. If an election is thereafter required to be held, the period of time required for protest procedures shall not be included in the computation of time periods under this article, and any such periods shall be extended by the time required for such procedures.