LOME, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- The third Togolese opposition political party, the Democratic Convention of African People (CDPA) , announced on Sunday evening that its candidate was pulling out of the presidential election process.

The CDPA announced the walkout following the United Forces for Change (UFC), the main Togolese opposition party; and the Committee of Action for Renewal (CAR).

Despite mediation by Burkina Faso, differences remain between the ruling Assembly of Togolese People (RPT) and the opposition over such issues as the mode of elections and the controversial revision of the voter list.

The RPT insists on a one-round vote, while the opposition says the mode is unfair for them in the contest and that a second round is necessary for a true democratic election.

Amid tensions, Gnassingbe announced a presidential decree last week, putting off the election date from Feb. 28 to March 4.

The CDPA is the West African country's first party to field a woman candidate in the Togolese presidential race.

The UFC and CAR are the only parliamentary opposition parties, respectively having 27 deputies and four deputies against 50 for Gnassingbe's RPT.

The forthcoming presidential election will mark the end of the first term of Gnassingbe who came to power after a hotly contested election in April 2005, following the death of general Gnassingbe Eyadema, his father, on Feb. 5, 2005.