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Speaker of the Lok Sabha

Legislature

Article 93 · Article 94 · Tenth Schedule

De jure
65
De facto
45
Volatility
40
Legitimacy
40

In theory

Presides over the Lok Sabha impartially, decides on disqualification under the anti-defection law, and certifies money bills.

In practice

The office is nominally impartial but is elected from and typically remains a member of the ruling party; Speaker's rulings on anti-defection disqualification cases have frequently been criticized as slow or favorable to the ruling party, weakening the anti-defection law's intended deterrent effect.

Checks and balances

This office checks

→ Prime Minister of India Presides over and certifies the outcome of a no-confidence motion that can remove the government.→ Prime Minister of India Presides over and certifies the outcome of a no-confidence motion that can remove the government.

Checked by

← Governor (State) Governor's discretion in inviting a party/coalition to form government shapes who controls the Speakership downstream.← Governor (State) Governor's discretion in inviting a party/coalition to form government shapes who controls the Speakership downstream.

Sources

  • Tenth Schedule to the Constitution (Anti-Defection Law); Kihoto Hollohan v. Zachillhu (1992)
  • Tenth Schedule to the Constitution (Anti-Defection Law); Kihoto Hollohan v. Zachillhu (1992)