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UPSC » Daily News Analysis ‘PRO TEM SPEAKER’: 19 June

Daily News Analysis ‘PRO TEM SPEAKER’: 19 June

The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha will begin shortly and have the election of a new Speaker and the pro tem Speaker.

Table of Content

About PRO TEM SPEAKER:

  • Pro-tem is a Latin expression that means “for the moment” in English.
  • The term “pro-tem speaker” is not used specifically in the Constitution, but the official ‘Handbook on the Working of Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs’ mentions the appointment and swearing in of Speaker pro tem. 
  • The President or Governor appoints a Pro-tem Speaker temporarily to conduct State legislature proceedings until a new Speaker is elected.
  • The Pro-tem Speaker is usually elected for the first sitting of a new legislative assembly.
  • Once the new Speaker is elected, the Pro-tem Speaker’s role ends. Hence, this office is a temporary office.
  • The Pro-tem Speaker main duty is to administer oaths to the new members.
  • The pro-tem speaker is usually a senior member of the legislature who is selected in accordance with custom or parliamentary practice.

Why in the News?

  • The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha will begin shortly and have the election of a new Speaker and the pro tem Speaker.