Context: With the Rajya Sabha poised to elect the Deputy Chairman, the Congress renewed its campaign seeking the Deputy Speaker’s position in the Lok Sabha.  
Background

• This is the first time that the Lok Sabha has functioned for over a year without having a Deputy Speaker.
• A panel of MPs has been assisting the Speaker.
• Speaker has been requested to fill the post of Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha. The speaker has said that it is not the duty of the Speaker to elect the Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha

• Article 93 of the Constitution provides for the election of both the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
• There is no need to resign from the original party though as a Deputy Speaker, he/she has to remain impartial.
• Usually, the Deputy Speaker is elected in the first meeting of the Lok Sabha after the General elections from amongst the members of the Lok Sabha.
• By convention, the position of Deputy Speaker is offered to the opposition party in India.
• The Deputy Speaker holds office until either he/she ceases to be a member of the Lok Sabha or he/she resigns.
• He/she can be removed from office by a resolution passed in the Lok Sabha by an effective majority of its members.

Road Ahead

• According to the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, “The election of a Deputy Speaker shall be held on such date as the Speaker may fix.”
• But as per tradition Speaker needs the nod of the government for announcing such an election.
• Once the date is notified, one or more motions can be moved by members for the election of a nominee as the Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
• No member can move a motion for his or her own election.
• If a motion is accepted by the simple majority of the house, the MP becomes the Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha.