15.—(1) A candidate may withdraw their candidature by notice of withdrawal—
(a)signed by the candidate and attested by one witness, and
(b)delivered to the combined authority returning officer at the place for delivery of nomination papers.
(2) Where a candidate is outside the United Kingdom, a notice of withdrawal signed by the candidate's proposer and accompanied by a written declaration also so signed of the candidate's absence from the United Kingdom shall be of the same effect as a notice of withdrawal signed by the candidate; but where the candidate stands nominated by more than one nomination paper a notice of withdrawal under this paragraph shall be effective if, and only if—
(a)it and the accompanying declaration are signed by all the proposers except any who is, and is stated in that declaration to be, outside the United Kingdom, or
(b)it is accompanied, in addition to that declaration, by a written statement signed by the candidate that the proposer giving the notice is authorised to do so on the candidate's behalf during his absence from the United Kingdom.