Article 178 Simplified: The Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly

Official Text

Every Legislative Assembly of a State shall, as soon as may be, choose two members of the Assembly to be respectively Speaker and Deputy Speaker thereof and, so often as the office of Speaker or Deputy Speaker becomes vacant, the Assembly shall choose another member to be Speaker or Deputy Speaker, as the case may be.

Simple Meaning

Article 178 is the rule that allows the newly elected MLAs to choose their leaders—the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker. They are the 'Referees' of the House who ensure everyone follows the rules of debate.

Explain Like Ten

It says the Assembly must choose two of its members to be the Speaker and Deputy Speaker to act as referees and keep order during meetings.

Student Mode

Constitutes the offices of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, requiring the House to choose two members for these positions and fill vacancies as they arise.

Example

Directly after a state election and the swearing-in of new MLAs, the senior-most MLA acts as Pro-tem Speaker to conduct the election of a permanent Speaker and Deputy Speaker from among the members.

Key Takeaway

The House chooses its own leaders to stay independent.

FAQs

Who are the Speaker and Deputy Speaker?

They are the presiding officers of the Legislative Assembly, elected by the members of the Assembly from among themselves to conduct business impartially.

What is the role of a 'Pro-tem Speaker'?

Before a permanent Speaker is elected, the Governor appoints a Pro-tem Speaker (usually the senior-most MLA) to administer oaths to new MLAs and conduct the Speaker's election.

What happens when the office of Speaker or Deputy Speaker becomes vacant?

The Assembly must choose another member to fill the vacant office as soon as possible.

Does the Speaker remain a member of their political party after election?

By convention, the Speaker is expected to act with absolute neutrality, though they usually do not formally resign from their political party in India unless they choose to.

Quiz

Who elects the Speaker of the State Legislative Assembly?

Answer: Members of the Legislative Assembly

When a new Assembly is elected, who presides before a regular Speaker is chosen?

Answer: The Speaker Pro-tem

Under Article 178, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker must be chosen from:

Answer: Among the members of the Assembly

What happens if the office of the Deputy Speaker becomes vacant?

Answer: The Assembly chooses another member to fill the vacancy

Related Topics

• Article 179
• Article 180