Pro-tem Speaker
About
- The Speaker of the Lok Sabha plays a vital role in overseeing the day-to-day proceedings of the House.
- In a new Lok Sabha, the Speaker is elected by a simple majority. Until the Speaker is elected, a pro-tem Speaker is appointed by the President to fulfill essential duties temporarily.
- The word ‘pro-tem’ means ‘for the time being’ or ‘temporarily’.
Legal Provisions
- The ‘pro-tem’ post is not mentioned in the Constitution.
- The ‘Handbook on the Working of Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs’, however, mentions the ‘Appointment and Swearing in of Speaker pro tem.
How is the pro-tem Speaker picked?
- Usually, the senior-most member of the house is selected for the post. There have been exceptions, though.
What is the role of a pro-tem Speaker?
- The primary duty of the pro-tem Speaker is to administer oath to the new MPs.
- He also enables the House to elect the new speaker.
- Once the new speaker is elected, the office of the pro-tem speaker ceases to exist. He also administers the floor test.
Why in News?
- President Droupadi Murmu has appointed Bhartruhari Mahtab, seven-term MP, as the pro tem Speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha under Article 95(1) of the Constitution.
| Article 95(1):
While the office of Speaker is vacant, the duties of the office shall be performed by the Deputy Speaker or, if the office of Deputy Speaker is also vacant, by such member of the House of the People as the President may appoint for the purpose. |
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