SDLP MP Alastair McDonnell has been selected by the party to contest the forthcoming Westminster election in a bid to retain his south Belfast seat.
Mr McDonnell took the seat from the UUP in 2005.
Last month, he lost the SDLP leadership race to Margaret Ritchie.
Accepting the nomination from his party on Thursday night, Mr McDonnell said: "I have put my heart and soul into delivering on the whole range of issues and challenges that have faced our communities right across south Belfast.
"I believe in a model of inclusive and progressive politics that delivers for all.
"I have no doubt in my mind that any politician who genuinely represents people's needs will continue to be elected and re-elected as long as they offer themselves for election."
Sinn Fein's Alex Maskey and the Alliance's Anna Lo are also set to fight for the seat.
South Belfast is one of several key constituencies held by nationalists which the DUP leadership wants to recapture.
Earlier this week, First Minister Peter Robinson has called on Ulster Unionists to agree candidates "where a unionist can re-take a seat from Sinn Fein or the SDLP".
© UTV News