Election: The Deputy Speaker is elected by the Lok Sabha from among its members. The election takes place after the Speaker's election, with the date set by the Speaker.
Tenure: The Deputy Speaker usually serves for the duration of the Lok Sabha but may leave office earlier in any of these three cases:
- If they cease to be a member of the Lok Sabha.
- If they resign in writing to the Speaker.
- If removed by a resolution passed by a majority of all Lok Sabha members. This resolution can only be proposed after 14 days' advance notice.
Duties and Privileges: The Deputy Speaker takes on the Speaker's duties if the latter's office is vacant or the Speaker is absent. This includes presiding over the joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament.
The Deputy Speaker is not subordinate to the Speaker and is directly accountable to the House. A unique privilege of the Deputy Speaker is that if appointed to a parliamentary committee, they automatically become its chairman.
When presiding over the House, the Deputy Speaker cannot vote initially; they can only cast a deciding vote in the event of a tie. If there is a motion for the Deputy Speaker's removal, they cannot preside over the House during the discussion, though they may be present.
When the Speaker is presiding, the Deputy Speaker is treated as any other regular member of the House. They can speak, participate in proceedings, and vote on matters before the House.
Historical Background: The institutions of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker date back to 1921 under the Government of India Act of 1919, known as the Montague-Chelmsford Reforms. At that time, the roles were known as the President and Deputy President, which continued until 1947.
G.V. Mavalankar was the first Speaker of the Lok Sabha, and Ananthasayanam Ayyangar was the first Deputy Speaker. Mavalankar held the position of Speaker from the Constituent Assembly to the provisional Parliament and continuously from 1946 to 1956.
