The UK government is to extend the deadline for forming a new Stormont Executive until 2024.
Legislation is being introduced in Parliament on Thursday to extend the period for forming an Executive to January 18 next year.
The Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill will retain the power to call a snap Assembly election at any time during that period, the government said.
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It comes after the previous legal deadline for restoring Stormont power-sharing lapsed last month.
The UK government currently has a legal responsibility to call an election by April 13, but there had been little sign of a fresh poll being announced.
Northern Ireland secretary Chris Heaton-Harris has previously introduced legislation at Westminster to extend the period for forming an Executive and avoid fresh elections.
In a statement, Mr Heaton-Harris said an election in the coming weeks would "not be helpful or welcome".
He said: "Over a year has passed since the then-First Minister of Northern Ireland resigned. Twelve months and one Assembly election later, it is disappointing that people in Northern Ireland still do not have the strong devolved government that they deserve.
"After considering my options, and engaging widely in Northern Ireland, I know that an election in the coming weeks will not be helpful or welcome. So, I am introducing a Bill to create more time for the parties to work together and return to government, as Protocol discussions continue between the UK and EU.
"The restoration of the Executive, in line with the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement, remains my top priority. I will continue to do everything I can to help the parties work together to make that happen."
Mr Heaton-Harris is to hold further roundtable talks with the main Stormont parties on Thursday to discuss the power-sharing stalemate and Stormont's budget in the absence of devolved government.
The parties are being asked to bring forward budget proposals for the next financial year, in which departments could face cuts of at least £500million.
The DUP has been blocking Stormont power-sharing since last February in protest against Brexit's Northern Ireland Protocol.
It has made clear it will not return to devolved government until radical changes are made to the contentious Irish Sea trading arrangements.
Civil servants are currently running public services in Northern Ireland in the absence of elected ministers.
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