Michael Stewart, the People's National Party (PNP) councillor/candidate for the Newport division in Manchester, has backtracked on his decision to resign.

This follows a meeting of the party's South Manchester constituency executive on Friday.

On Thursday night, Stewart, citing family commitments, informed the party's divisional executive that he would no longer be running for the position of councillor for the Newport division.

Michael Peart, the PNP's South Manchester constituency chairman, told The Gleaner/Power 106 News Centre on the weekend that Stewart had been assessing his various responsibilities and his ability to represent the PNP in the upcoming elections.

However, according to Peart, the candidate did not tender a written resignation.

Stewart, principal of Porus High School in Manchester, is expected to replace Ederick Preddie who has been councillor for the Newport division for the past seven terms, spanning 21 years.

The Newport division, which is located in South Manchester, is considered to be a PNP stronghold.