(1) Political parties who proposed an accepted list of candidates may withdraw that list in the manner prescribed in their statute or by a separate decision rendered on the basis of the statute, no later than 48 hours after it has been published as accepted by the competent election commission. For a "list of candidates of a group of voters" the decision to withdraw shall be rendered by the leader of the list.

(2) The written decision on withdrawal must be received by the competent election commission within the deadline referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article.

(3) Withdrawal of one or more candidates from the list of candidates is not permitted after the expiry of the deadline for candidacy, and the withdrawal of one of the candidates will not be accepted, so that the list of candidates shall remain valid with the names of all the published candidates.

(4) If one or more candidates withdraw from the list of candidates before the expiry of the deadline for candidacy, the competent election commission shall apply the provisions of Article 21, paragraph 3 of this Act, as appropriate.