Nichola Mallon, the former infrastructure minister and SDLP's former deputy leader, will not return to politics even if an election is called.
According to a source close to Ms Mallon, she will not run if a poll is called by the Secretary of State, Chris Heaton-Harris.
Tensions are mounting ahead of Friday's deadline for a return to Stormont power-sharing as an election deadline looms.
Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris yesterday urged the DUP to get back into government saying the party could still make choices to avoid triggering a December poll.
In May, Ms Mallon lost her seat.
At the time she said: "It has been a privilege to serve the people of North Belfast as a Councillor and then a MLA for the past 12 years. I want to thank every single person who came out to vote for me over that time. Time for a new chapter..."
She had been a North Belfast MLA since 2016 and previously served as Lord Mayor.
An SDLP Spokesperson said: “In the event of an Assembly election the SDLP will confirm our candidates in due course.”
In leaving politics behind, there's a few things I'm taking with me - my friendship with these two being one. https://t.co/499mbIXVtC
— Nichola Mallon (@NicholaMallon) May 25, 2022
It has been a privilege to serve the people of North Belfast as a Councillor and then a MLA for the past 12 years. I want to thank every single person who came out to vote for me over that time. Time for a new chapter and lots and lots of time with these three. pic.twitter.com/DqaFJN8kS1
— Nichola Mallon (@NicholaMallon) May 7, 2022
