Daniel Stride, who was forced off the Otago University Students’ Association (OUSA) executive in 2011 after groping an acquaintance, was one of four nominees in a by-election being held this month.
He withdrew yesterday evening.
The Otago Daily Times made unsuccessful efforts to contact Mr Stride for comment.
The man who nominated him, Mark Baxter, said his withdrawal was a shame.
The woman who seconded the nomination, Keshia Reyes, had withdrawn her support after learning of Mr Stride’s past conduct through the ODT.
In 2011, Mr Stride admitted in an online blog comment that he had got drunk at a student party and groped a woman’s breast.
He also named the victim and apologised for the "sincere accident" of using his victim’s name in his admission.
He was offered police diversion for the offence, an alternative to being formally prosecuted.
Mr Stride, finance services officer for OUSA in 2011, stood down from the executive after a vote of no-confidence.
This month’s by-election follows the resignation of Josh Smith as OUSA clubs and societies representative.
Mr Smith, also known as Josh Smythe, is a former president of the Dunedin Fire and Circus Club and he revealed this week that a complaint about sexual misconduct had been made against him.
He said the complaint was made to student magazine Critic Te Arohi.
Police have not confirmed whether they are investigating.
Mr Smith has said standing down from his OUSA and club leadership roles was not related to the allegation against him.
The three remaining students in the by-election are Dushanka Govender, Quintin Jane and Rebecca Turner.
Voting will take place on July 27-29.
