Constitution Section 95 — Power of the Deputy Speaker or other person to perform the duties of the office of, or to act as, Speaker

Part V — THE UNION — Officers of Parliament

Constitutional

Summary

If the Speaker’s position is empty, the Deputy Speaker handles the Speaker’s duties. If the Deputy Speaker’s position is also empty, the President appoints another member of the Lok Sabha to do the job. When the Speaker is absent from a House meeting, the Deputy Speaker acts as Speaker. If the Deputy Speaker is also absent, the person chosen by the House’s rules acts as Speaker, or if no such person is present, the House itself decides who will act as Speaker.

Official Text

(1) While the office of Speaker is vacant, the duties of the office shall be performed by the Deputy Speaker or, if the office of Deputy Speaker is also vacant, by such member of the House of the People as the President may appoint for the purpose.

(2) During the absence of the Speaker from any sitting of the House of the People the Deputy Speaker or, if he is also absent, such person as may be determined by the rules of procedure of the House, or, if no such person is present, such other person as may be determined by the House, shall act as Speaker.