Speakers of Lok Sabha

The Speaker of the Lok Sabha is the presiding officer of the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Parliament of India. The Speaker’s office carries great honour and dignity. It has been said of the office of the Speaker that while the members of  Parliament represent the individual constituencies, the Speaker represents the full authority of the House itself. The Speakers unique position is illustrated by the fact that it is placed very high in the Warrant of Precedence in our country, standing next only to the President, the Vice-President and the Prime Minister.

The speaker is elected in the very first meeting of the Lok Sabha following general elections. The Speaker of the House of the People is elected by the House from among its members, but in practice the Speaker is the nominee of the majority party in the House of the People.

The Speaker is elected for the life of the House i.e., five Years. The Speaker holds office from the date of his/her election till immediately before the first meeting of the Lok Sabha after the dissolution of the one to which he/she was elected. The Speaker is eligible for re-election. On the dissolution of the Lok Sabha, although the Speaker ceases to be a member of the House, he/she does not vacate the office. The Speaker may, at any time, resign from office by writing under his/her hand to the Deputy Speaker. The Speaker can be removed from office only on a resolution of the House. Such a resolution requires fourteen day’s notice and the resolution must be passed by majority, of all the members of the House of the People present and voting.

The Speaker is the head of the Lok Sabha Secretariat which functions under his/her ultimate control and direction. Our Speaker possesses almost the same powers as the Speaker of the British House of Commons. The Speaker presides over the meetings of the House. The primary duty of the speaker is to control debate. It is also his/her responsibility to see that parliamentary time is used properly. He/She may adjourn the House. If there is no quorum, he/she may suspend the meeting of the House. No member of the Lok Sabha has the power to speak without his/her consent. The members of House of the People address the Speaker only. He/She interprets the rules of procedure of the House.

List of Speakers of Lok Sabha of India: