Delay in election of Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker

Context

The Delhi High Court gave time to the Centre to give its stand on a petition alleging inaction by Constitutional functionaries in not holding election to the post of the Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

Who is Deputy Speaker?

• The Deputy Speaker is independent of the Speaker, not subordinate to him, as both are elected from among the members of the House.
• The Deputy Speaker ensures the continuity of the Speakers office by acting as the Speaker when the office becomes vacant- 
  • by death
  • because of resignation
  • removal 
• In addition to presiding over the House in the absence of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker chaired committees both inside and outside of Parliament. 

Election of Speaker and Deputy Speaker

• The Constitution specifies offices like those of 
  • the President
  • Vice President
  • Chief Justice of India
  • Comptroller and Auditor General of India
  • Speakers and Deputy Speakers
• Article 93 for Lok Sabha and Article 178 for state Assemblies state that these Houses “shall, as soon as may be”, choose two of its members to be Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
• In Lok Sabha and state legislatures, the President/Governor sets a date for the election of the Speaker, and it is the Speaker who decides the date for the election of the Deputy Speaker. 
• The legislators of the respective Houses vote to elect one among themselves to these offices.

Constitution on Election 

• The Constitution neither sets a time limit nor specifies the process for these elections. 
• It leaves it to the legislatures to decide how to hold these elections.