Role Of The Lok Sabha Speaker: Election, Power and Functions - UPSC Notes

The role of the Lok Sabha Speaker of the House is in a ceremonial position. It is a constitutional position created under Article 93 of the Indian Constitution. The office of Speaker originated in India in 1921 under the provisions of the Government of India Act 1919. It was referred to as the President at the time. Its nomenclatures were changed by the Government of India Act 1935. However, the old nomenclature continued till 1947, as the federal part of the 1935 Act was not implemented. G. V. Mavalankar is credited as the first Speaker. 

The role of the Lok Sabha Speaker is a topic relevant to the UPSC CSE context under General Studies Paper II. It is a basic topic for aspirants to understand the dynamic aspect of the role of the Lok Sabha Speaker. The role of the Lok Sabha Speaker is an essential topic for UPSC Civil Services because it highlights the role of the Lok Sabha Speaker, which are frequently discussed in the exam. The role of the Lok Sabha Speaker is significant from the perspective of UPSC IAS Examinations for both prelims and mains. In this article, we shall discuss in detail the roles and responsibilities of the Speaker. Join UPSC Coaching today to boost your preparation. 
 

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The role of the Lok Sabha Speaker is central to the functioning of the Indian parliamentary system. As the presiding officer of the Lok Sabha, the Speaker conducts House proceedings with neutrality and authority. The role of the Lok Sabha Speaker includes maintaining order, allowing members to speak, and ensuring rules are followed during debates. They decide the admissibility of motions and bills, including no-confidence and adjournment motions. In the event of a tie, the Speaker casts the deciding vote. The role of the Lok Sabha Speaker also involves representing the House in all official communications and preserving its dignity and democratic values.

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Election of the Lok Sabha Speaker

No specific qualifications are prescribed for being elected as the Speaker. Newly elected Members of the Lok Sabha choose the Speaker from among themselves. The Speaker must clearly understand the functioning of the Lok Sabha and ensure fair coordination between the ruling and opposition parties. The other provision is as follows:

• Once the general elections are over, the President of India will announce the first Lok Sabha meeting and the Speaker's election date.
• Usually, on the day of the Speaker's election or a day prior, the Prime Minister or the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs proposes the preferred candidate's name.
• Any other candidate may also submit their names. There have been four instances viz. 1952, 1967, 1976, and 2024, when there were elections for the speaker post.
• The Speaker is elected without formal voting if only one name is suggested.
• Yet, if more than one nomination is received, all members call a division through voice voting. The successful candidate is elected as Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

Also, read about The President of India from the perspective of UPSC Exams.

Powers and Functions of the Lok Sabha Speaker

The Speaker of the Lok Sabha runs the business in the House and determines whether a bill is money. They keep discipline and decorum in the home and can penalize a member for disorderly behavior regarding the law after suspending them.

• They also permit the introduction of various motions and resolutions, such as the no-confidence motion, adjournment motion, censure motion, and calling attention notice, by the rules.
• The Speaker determines the agenda to be discussed during the meeting.
• The President of India fixes the date for the election of the Speaker.
• Also, all House members' statements and speeches are addressed to the Speaker. 
• The counterpart of the Speaker in the Rajya Sabha (Council of States) is the Chairperson, the Vice-President of India. He serves as the ex-officio Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha.
• In the order of precedence, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha holds the sixth position, alongside the Chief Justice of India.
• The Speaker is answerable to the House. A resolution passed by most members may remove the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
• The President can elect a Lok Sabha Speaker by nomination.
• All bills passed require the Speaker's signature to go to the Rajya Sabha for consideration.
• The presiding officer is generally expected to use the casting vote to maintain the existing situation or status quo.

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Administrative Role of the Speaker

The administrative role of the Speaker involves managing the Lok Sabha Secretariat and overseeing its staff, resources, and daily operations. The administrative role of a speaker is as follows:

• The Speaker also serves as the head of the Lok Sabha Secretariat.
• The Speaker has complete control over the functioning of the Lok Sabha Secretariat and is responsible for overseeing all administrative and security arrangements within the House.
• No changes or additions can be made to the Parliament House, nor can any new structure be built within the Parliament Estate without the Speaker's approval.
• The Speaker decides the form and manner in which the house proceedings are published.

Other Roles and Responsibilities

• Speaker's approval is sought for the date the House will start before the President convenes it.
• The Speaker decides the form in which amendments may be moved to the Motion of thanks to the President.
• When amendments are made to a bill, the permission of the Speaker is required.
• It depends solely on the Speaker to refer any question of privilege to the Committee of Privilege for examination, investigation, and report.
• When a decision of the House is to be ascertained on a motion made by a member, the Speaker puts the question before the House to obtain the decision.

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Removal of the Speaker

Usually, the Speaker remains in office during the Lok Sabha's life. The speaker can be removed by the Lok Sabha by a resolution passed by the majority of all the then members of the House as per the Constitution of India [Articles 94]. The Speaker is also removed on being disqualified for being a Lok Sabha member under sections 7 and 8 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. 

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Pro tem Speaker

Following a general election and the formation of a new government, the Legislative Section prepares a list of the senior-most Lok Sabha members. This list is submitted to the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, who then recommends a name to the President of India. Based on this recommendation, the President appoints one of the senior members as the Pro tem Speaker.

The first meeting after the election, when members of the Parliament select the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker, is held under the pro tem Speaker. In the absence of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker acts as Speaker. In the absence of both the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker, a committee of six members will perform the Speaker's duties in order of their seniority.

Eligibility for Speaker of the Lok Sabha include:

• He must be a citizen of India.
• His age should not be less than 25 years.
• He must not hold any office of profit under the Government of India or a state government.
• Must not have any criminal record.

Know more about the comparison between the powers and position of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha!

List of Lok Sabha Speakers

The below table gives the list of Lok Sabha speakers:

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