First Minister John Swinney has said the SNP is yet to make a decision on whether its politicians can be both MPs and MSPs.
It comes after the party's Westminster leader, Stephen Flynn, announced his intent to stand in the 2026 Holyrood election.
Mr Flynn's ambition to become an MSP has faced criticism after he said he would continue to keep his current job as the MP for Aberdeen South until the next general election.
Mr Swinney, who previously held seats at both Westminster and Holyrood, told BBC Scotland News: "We’ve had times in the past when we’ve had dual mandates – I had a dual mandate myself for two years in the early days of devolution.
“The party has got to come to its conclusions about these particular issues and it will do in the fullness of time.”
However, the deputy first minister Kate Forbes said the Westminster leader would be “brilliant asset” at Holyrood.
Responding to Flynn’s announcement, she added: “The beauty of democracy is that it ultimately will be a decision for the local electorate as to who represents them, both within the party and within the public.
"Now, most recently, that was put to the test with Douglas Ross, he wasn't returned as the MP, and therefore it proves the point that democracy works."