SDLP activists in South Belfast are tonight expected to back councillor Claire Hanna to replace leader Alasdair McDonnell in the assembly.
Ms Hanna is the sole candidate at the selection convention triggered by Dr McDonnell's decision to quit Stormont, which means she is likely to be signed-in at the assembly on Monday.
She will be the second South Belfast SDLP MLA to be co-opted onto the party's Stormont benches during the current mandate. In 2013, Fearghal McKinney replaced Conall McDevitt following the latter's sudden resignation over payments from his former PR firm.
The South Belfast selection convention was called after Dr McDonnell said he was standing down from the assembly to concentrate on his Westminster seat. Belfast councillor Declan Boyle had initially said he would run against Ms Hanna but withdrew from the contest last week.
Speaking to the Irish News, 35-year-old Ms Hanna said she was confident of being selected and looked forward to serving the people of South Belfast.
"I would be genuinely grateful for the opportunity to serve everyone in South Belfast at the assembly and am committed to the big challenge of defending this seat at the next election," she said.
"I appreciate that faith in local politics is low at the moment but as I have done at council since 2011 I will be standing up for South Belfast's diversity, value for money and excellence in public services, along with core SDLP values of social justice and reconciliation."
Ms Hanna's mother Carmel, who previously served in the Stormont executive as a employment and learning minister, and father Eamon are long-time SDLP activists.
Meanwhile, the Ulster Unionist party has selected its two new MLAs to replace Tom Elliott and Danny Kinahan, who were both elected to Westminster last month.
Neil Somerville (42) has been co-opted to represent Fermanagh South Tyrone, while Adrian Cochrane-Watson (48) will replace Mr Kinahan as MLA for South Antrim.
"Adrian and Neil will bring energy, passion and commitment to their new roles and I know they will work hard in association with Danny and Tom for the people of South Antrim and Fermanagh South Tyrone respectively," UUP leader Mike Nesbitt said.
Mr Cochrane-Watson previously made controversial remarks about being overlooked as a general election candidate due to his attitude to gay couples using his bed-and-breakfast.
The former Antrim councillor has said the row over him being "uncomfortable" with gay couples was in the past and that he now has "no difficulty" with members of the gay community.
