Former Northern Territory teen inmate Dylan Voller has pulled out of the election race for Alice Springs council just days after revealing he would run.
The 19-year-old announced his candidacy for next month's local government elections on Wednesday saying he'd give Central Australia youth a voice.
But the ex Don Dale Detention Centre detainee on Friday said he wants to focus on building up trust and support within the community first.
"We do need more strong indigenous people in power and at this time I am not ready. I am sorry," he posted on Facebook.
"This is sad, but a decision I have to make that will affect my future and my mental health."
The announcement comes days after the youngster at the centre of the NT juvenile justice royal commission came under fire when a photo of him with a replica toy handgun surfaced on social media.
Voller was thrust into the public eye in 2016 when images of him being tear gassed, spithooded and shackled to a restraint chair in the NT's youth prison system was aired on national television.
