The Central Election Commission abrogated its decision to register the Democratic Party’s candidate Marian Lupu as an electoral competitor based on the decision of the Appeals Court, which accepted the politician’s withdrawal application, IPN reports.

CEC vice president Rodica Ciubotaru said the electoral offices of polling places will put the stamp ‘withdrawn’ against the name of Marian Lupu on the ballots.

Under the electoral legislation, the registered candidate has the right to withdraw from the competition not later than seven days before the election day or a decision is taken by the court.

On October 26, Marian Lupu announced that he decided to withdraw from the race for the presidency because the pro-European candidate Maia Sandu has more chances of beating Socialist candidate Igor Dodon in eventual runoff elections.