Singh would have been barred from world cricket's governing body

His decision, announced prior to Sunday's WICB meeting in Dominica, follows confirmation that he would not be able to represent the West Indies at the International Cricket Council.

Singh owns a bookmaking business but the ICC's code of ethics says no director "shall be engaged or actively involved in, directly or indirectly, any conduct analogous to... gambling or any other form of financial speculation."

Val Banks, from Anguilla, will now take charge in an interim capacity after being re-elected as vice-president.

Singh, head of the Guyana Cricket Board for 12 years,originally agreed to allow his name to be put forward because of his love for West Indies cricket and "desire to serve".

He said: "It is that same love of this game and our region that has prompted me to withdraw from this election.

"I believe that West Indies cricket needs continued unity at this time and I would not wish to accept the post of president without the broad-based support of the board and the cricket-loving people of the Caribbean."

Singh's business is legally registered in Guyana and takes bets only on horse and dog racing.

But the ICC's regulations were tightened following the match-fixing scandal which erupted in 2000 and led to life bans for five players, including India's Mohammad Azharuddin, the late Hansie Cronje of South Africa and Pakistan's Salim Malik.

Once new candidates have been put forward, the WICB will hold a special meeting to elect a president, but no date has yet been fixed.