Ukraine's presidential candidate Andriy Sadovyy has withdrawn his candidacy from the presidential race, local media reported Tuesday, citing sources in the Central Electoral Commission (CEC).

According to the government-run Ukrinform news agency, the CEC has already received Sadovyy's official request to strike his name from the ballot.

Last week, Sadovyy, mayor of Ukraine's western city of Lviv, announced his intent to quit the presidential race, urging his supporters to vote for another presidential nominee -- former Defence Minister Anatoly Hrytsenko.

Later, another candidate, journalist Dmytro Gnap, also voiced his readiness to withdraw from the elections in favor of Hrytsenko. The CEC has not yet confirmed Gnap's withdrawal.

According to a recent survey conducted by the sociological group Rating, Hrytsenko placed fifth among presidential candidates with 7.7 percent of voter support.

Initially, 44 candidates registered to compete in the election scheduled for March 31.

The presidential contenders are permitted to withdraw their candidacy from the race no later than March 7.