Sec. 5. (a) Townships other than those described in section 3 of this chapter may be altered or abolished by the issuance of an order by the county executive on receipt of a petition signed by a majority of the freeholders of the affected township or townships. The alteration or abolition must conform to the terms of the petition.
(b) The alteration or abolition becomes effective when the county executive files a copy of the order with:
(1) the circuit court clerk; and
(2) the office of the secretary of state.