The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) says political hopefuls Delano Seiveright and Christian Tavares-Finson are ending ambitions to contest a run-off to lead the North Central St Andrew constituency into the constitutionally due general elections this year.

In a statement on Sunday (May 18), the JLP Central Executive said that following a meeting held earlier today, both applicants withdrew their campaigns “to allow for a resetting of the process of finalising a candidate”.

After a review, the JLP further advised that “the withdrawal will allow the party secretariat to conduct a consultation with key stakeholders, including the executive and workers of North Central St Andrew in the coming weeks as it restarts the process of finalising a candidate within the rules of the party”.

The decision-making central executive accepted the decision of Tavares-Finson and Seiveright, emphasising “that both are valued members of the party”.

Karl Samuda, the nine-time Member of Parliament, has represented the constituency since 1989 but announced in April that he would not be seeking re-election.

The JLP said that Samuda remains chairman of the constituency during the process of finalising a candidate.

In the meantime, both Senator Seiveright and Tavares-Finson further committed to having their supporters respect JLP rules and regulations and to act in the interest of party unity.

The statement is additionally subsequent to Seiveright announcing a suspension of his campaign on May 14.

• RELATED: Seiveright cites ‘bigger picture’ as he suspends campaign for North Central St Andrew