15.—(1) Subject to paragraph (3), a candidate at a constituency election may withdraw his candidature by notice of withdrawal—
(a)signed by him and attested by one witness; and
(b)delivered to the constituency returning officer at the place for delivery of constituency nomination papers.
(2) Subject to paragraph (3), an individual or party list candidate at a regional election may withdraw his candidature by notice of withdrawal—
(a)signed by him and attested by one witness; and
(b)delivered to the regional returning officer at the place or a place for delivery of individual nomination papers or party nomination papers.
(3) Where a candidate is outside the United Kingdom, a notice of withdrawal signed by a person and accompanied—
(a)by a written declaration also so signed of the candidate’s absence from the United Kingdom; and
(b)by a written statement signed by the candidate that the person giving the notice is authorised to do so on the candidate’s behalf during his absence from the United Kingdom,
shall be of the same effect as a notice of withdrawal signed by the candidate.
(4) At a regional election a registered political party may withdraw the candidature of any or all of the candidates included in a party list of that party by notice of withdrawal—
(a)signed by the party’s registered nominating officer; and
(b)delivered to the regional returning officer at the place or a place for the delivery of individual nomination papers or party nomination papers.