The SDLP is the only party in Northern Ireland with proposals which would end direct rule in the Province now, the party leader, Mark Durkan said today.
Interviewed on the ePolitix website, he said that by giving the party a strong mandate, the election would give people a chance to revive the peace process.
"This election gives people the opportunity to cut through the stalemate, to end the drift and end the stand-off.
"We are the only party with proposals which would end direct rule now and that would restore the institutions, and challenge all parties to move forward on that basis."
Mr Durkan warned about the consequences of Sinn Fein and Dr Ian Paisley's DUP making further gains.
"In previous elections when those two parties have made gains it has never resulted in gains for the Good Friday Agreement, the peace process or the democratic public in Northern Ireland ."
He said it had meant the agreement had remained stuck in stalemate, and suspension had deepened.
"If people want to return to the agreement then they should return the SDLP in greater strength. History shows that when the SDLP vote goes up, then we all make progress and that when the more extreme problem parties make gains we all stay stuck," Mr Durkan added.
PA