12.—(1) A candidate may withdraw his candidature by notice of withdrawal—
(a)signed by him and attested by one witness, whose name and address shall be given; and
(b)delivered to the CRO at the place for delivery of nomination papers.
(2) Where a candidate is outside the United Kingdom, a notice of withdrawal signed by his election agent 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, it is accompanied, in addition to that declaration, 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.