The Speaker of Parliament has deferred the matter regarding the petition to declare the seats of four members of Parliament vacant.

This decision came after hearing arguments from both the Majority and Minority sides of the House concerning the petition brought forth by former Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu.

The development follows the move by Haruna Iddrisu to invoke Article 97 (1)(g) of the Constitution to vacate the seats of three Majority MPs and one NDC MP.

The provision in question states that an MP shall vacate their seat if they leave the party they were elected under or seek to remain in Parliament as an independent candidate.

• Read also: Majority Leader goes to Supreme Court over moves to declare seats of independent candidates vacant

Following a heated debate on the floor on Tuesday, Speaker Bagbin requested two more days to deliver a reasoned, well-thought-out ruling.

He also acknowledged receiving the notice of petition submitted by Haruna Iddrisu.

"So please, kindly give me these two days, and I'll come here with a well-written ruling. I will submit it to all of you, so that at the end of the day, justice would have not only been done but would have been seen to be manifestly done in this matter," he said.

Earlier today, the Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin filed an injunction application at the Supreme Court in response to the Minority's efforts to declare the seats of Independent candidates vacant.

But the Speaker told the House that "I've not been served with the process yet, and so that is still not before me."

Mr Afenyo-Markin attempted to ask permission to submit his suit as the Speaker concluded his decision.

The Speaker would have none of that, describing it as an abuse of process.

“I decline to grant you the leave,” he told the Majority Leader.