The Speaker will be elected on June 26, coinciding with the start of the Parliament session scheduled from June 24 to July 3. The Speaker’s position becomes vacant just before the new Lok Sabha convenes.
NEW DELHI: Om Birla, the NDA’s candidate for the Lok Sabha Speaker post, filed his nomination on Tuesday. In response, the INDIA bloc has nominated Congress MP K Suresh for the position. Previously, the INDIA alliance indicated it would support the NDA’s candidate for Speaker if they were granted the Deputy Speaker post.
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However, since the NDA did not commit to giving the Deputy Speaker role to the opposition, the INDIA bloc decided to field its own candidate for the Lok Sabha Speaker post.
The Speaker will be elected on June 26, coinciding with the start of the Parliament session scheduled from June 24 to July 3. The Speaker’s position becomes vacant just before the new Lok Sabha convenes.
Until the Speaker election results are announced, the President appoints a Pro-tem Speaker for a short period to administer the oath to the newly elected MPs. The first two days of the session are dedicated to this oath-taking ceremony.
How is the Lok Sabha speaker elected?
Article 93 of the Constitution outlines the election process for both the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker. According to Article 93, the House of the People must promptly select two members to serve as Speaker and Deputy Speaker. Whenever the position of Speaker or Deputy Speaker becomes vacant, the House must elect another member to fill the respective role.
Eligibility
Article 94 of the Constitution stipulates that the Speaker must be a member of the House. While there are no specific qualifications required to stand for election as Speaker, a deep understanding of the Constitution and national laws is highly valued for this position.
Typically, a member from the ruling party is chosen as Speaker. Over time, a process has developed where the ruling party nominates a candidate after informal discussions with leaders of other parties and groups in the House. This practice helps ensure that the Speaker gains the respect of all sections of the House once elected.
After a candidate is decided upon, the Prime Minister or the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs usually proposes their name.
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Importance of the Lok Sabha Speaker
The Lok Sabha Speaker is a crucial figure in parliamentary proceedings, serving as the principal spokesperson of the House. The Speaker’s decisions on all parliamentary matters are deemed final. Additionally, the Speaker acts as the guardian of the powers and privileges of the members, the House as a whole, and its committees.
Within the House, the Speaker is the ultimate interpreter of the Constitution of India, the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Lok Sabha, and parliamentary precedents.
The Speaker’s primary responsibility is to maintain order and decorum in the House, facilitating the conduct of its business and regulating proceedings. The Speaker also holds the authority to disqualify members for unruly behavior under the 10th Schedule of the Constitution.
Furthermore, the Speaker appoints the chairpersons of all parliamentary committees of the Lok Sabha and oversees their performance. The Speaker can authorize a ‘secret’ sitting of the House if requested by the Leader of the House, during which no outsiders are allowed in the chamber, lobby, or galleries without the Speaker’s permission.
The Speaker also determines whether a bill is a money bill. Once classified as a money bill, it is sent to the Rajya Sabha for recommendations and then presented to the President for assent. The Speaker then endorses it as a money bill.
Additionally, the Lok Sabha Speaker serves as the chairperson of the Business Advisory Committee, the Rules Committee, and the General Purpose Committee.
Election Process
The Speaker and Deputy Speaker are elected from among the Lok Sabha members by a simple majority of members present and voting in the House.
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Removal of the Speaker
Article 94 states that the Speaker of the Lok Sabha can be removed from office by a resolution passed by a majority of all current members of the House of the People.
Typically, the Speaker holds office throughout the duration of the Lok Sabha’s term. However, the Speaker must vacate office under certain circumstances:
(a) ceasing to be a member of the Lok Sabha,
(b) resigning by submitting a written resignation to the Deputy Speaker, or
(c) being removed by a resolution passed by a majority of all current members of the Lok Sabha.
A resolution for the removal of the Speaker requires a minimum 14-day advance notice before it can be moved. During the consideration of such a resolution in the House, the Speaker cannot preside over the proceedings, although they may be present.
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