Election Of Lok Sabha Speaker, Criteria and Voting Process

Context: Om Birla was elected the Lok Sabha Speaker (2nd time) by defeating the opposition candidate Kodikkunil Suresh.

Election Of Lok Sabha Speaker

• Article 93: It says that the House of the People shall, as soon as may be, choose two members to be the Speaker and Deputy Speaker and, so often as the office of Speaker or Deputy Speaker becomes vacant, the House shall choose another member.
• The date of election of the Speaker is fixed by the President of India.

Criteria

• The Speaker must be a member of the House.
• No specific qualifications are prescribed, but an understanding of the Constitution and laws is advantageous.

Nomination and Convention

• Typically, a member from the ruling party is elected as Speaker.
• The ruling party nominates its candidate after informal consultations with leaders of other parties and groups in the House.
• This convention ensures the Speaker enjoys respect from all sections of the House.

Voting Process

• The Speaker (along with the Deputy Speaker) is elected from among the Lok Sabha members by a simple majority of members present and voting.
• The candidate’s name is usually proposed by the Prime Minister or the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs.

Term of Office

• The Speaker holds office from the date of election until immediately before the first meeting of the next Lok Sabha (5 years).
• The Speaker is eligible for re-election.
• Upon dissolution of the Lok Sabha, the Speaker continues in office until the newly-elected Lok Sabha meets.

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