A petitioner shall not withdraw an election petition without the leave of the election court or High Court on special application, made in the prescribed manner and at the prescribed time and place.

In the application of this subsection to a petition questioning an election of councillors in Scotland there shall be omitted the reference to the High Court.

The application shall not be made until the prescribed notice of the intention to make it has been given in the constituency or local government area to which the petition relates.

Where there are more petitioners than one, the application shall not be made except with the consent of all the petitioners.

If a petition is withdrawn the petitioner shall be liable to pay the costs of the respondent.