comma before present participle: X, who withdrew from..., alleging

[Karen123456]

This follows the resignation of Zaid Ibrahim, who withdrew from the race for the deputy presidency(,) alleging that party elections were rigged.

Is a comma needed after 'presidency'?

Thanks in advance.

 

[grubble]

I agree that it can be removed.

 

[timpeac]

I'd go further and say it's better to remove it because the following section is an integral part of the phrase - it is effectively a long adverb describing the way he withdrew from the presidency.

 

[Parla]

I think it's optional.

 

[timpeac]

Actually, on rereading the original I think that we could have such a sentence with or without that comma - but it isn't optional because it changes the meaning of the sentence. If you take the comma out it would read that he alleged that the elections were rigged when he withdrew from the race and if you leave it in it would read that he alleged that the elections were rigged when he resigned.