Q. Why has the post of Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha remained vacant for prolonged periods in recent times? Examine the constitutional mandate, established conventions, and implications of such a vacancy on parliamentary democracy in India.

Introduction:
Article 93 of the Constitution mandates the timely election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha. However, the Deputy Speaker’s post has remained vacant during the 17th and now the 18th Lok Sabha, breaching a long-standing constitutional convention. Though a 2023 PIL flagged the issue, the continued delay reflects weakening regard for constitutional norms.

Body:
Legal Provisions Related to Deputy Speaker:
-Article 93
· Provides that the Lok Sabha must, “as soon as may be,” choose two of its members to be the Speaker and Deputy Speaker. The phrase implies urgency and ensures early establishment of leadership within the House.

-Article 94
· Lays down the provisions for vacation, resignation, and removal of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker. It guarantees that they hold office until they resign, are disqualified, or are removed by a resolution of the House.

-Article 95(1)
· States that the Deputy Speaker shall perform the duties of the Speaker when the post is vacant and will exercise all powers of the Speaker while presiding over the House.

-Rules of Procedure
· All references to the “Speaker” in the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha are deemed to apply to the Deputy Speaker when he/she is in the Chair.

-Article 178
· Provides for similar provisions regarding the Speaker and Deputy Speaker in the State Legislative Assemblies.

Election Process of Deputy speaker:
-The Deputy Speaker is elected from among Lok Sabha members by a simple majority of those present and voting.
-The Speaker fixes the date for the Deputy Speaker’s election as per the Rules of Procedure.
-No separate oath is required; the general MP’s oath under the Third Schedule suffices for assuming the office.

Established Conventions
-Historical Origin
· The post dates back to 1921, when Sachidanand Sinha became Deputy President of the Central Legislative Assembly during British rule.

-Constitutional Continuity
· The Constituent Assembly retained the office under Article 93, seeing it as essential for balance and continuity in parliamentary proceedings.

-Timely Election
· It is a convention to elect the Deputy Speaker within a few weeks of constituting the Lok Sabha, though not legally mandated.

-Opposition Representation
· The post is traditionally offered to the Opposition to promote bipartisanship and cooperative functioning in the House. Reasons for the delay in appointment of Deputy Speaker:

-No Statutory Time Limit
-While the Constitution says the Deputy Speaker should be elected “as soon as may be,” it doesn’t specify any time frame. This gives the ruling party room to delay the appointment without facing legal consequences, making the provision more of a formality than an enforceable rule.

-Political Reluctance
-Traditionally, the Deputy Speaker’s post goes to the Opposition to ensure balance and fairness. But in today’s highly competitive political environment, governments are often reluctant to offer key positions to opposition, fearing it might give them procedural leverage.

-Executive Control over Legislative Agenda
-Since the government controls the agenda of the House, it can easily avoid scheduling the election. With no immediate political cost, procedural appointments like this often take a backseat to more pressing legislative priorities.

-Non-Enforceability of Conventions
-Constitutional conventions carry moral weight but no legal force. The absence of any binding legal requirement makes this convention dependent on political choice, rather than being a rule that must be followed.

-Increased Partisan Politics
· As trust between ruling and opposition parties erodes, the incentive to share institutional responsibilities has diminished. The result is a decline in bipartisan traditions that once upheld the spirit of cooperative parliamentary democracy.

Democratic and Institutional Implications:
The office of the Deputy Speaker has remained vacant throughout the tenure of the 17th Lok Sabha (2019–2024) and, as of now, continues to remain unfilled in the newly constituted 18th Lok Sabha—raising serious concerns about adherence to constitutional norms.

-Violates Constitutional Spirit
-Delaying the election goes against Article 93, which expects timely appointment.

-Weakens Internal Oversight
-Without a Deputy Speaker, checks on the Speaker’s authority are reduced, tilting power toward the ruling side.

-Undermines Committee Functioning
-The Deputy Speaker chairs the Committee on Private Members’ Bills and resolutions —his absence leaves a leadership gap in key parliamentary work.

-Erodes Procedural Safeguards
-As a presiding officer, the Deputy Speaker helps uphold rules and precedents. His absence affects neutrality in interpreting procedure.

-Breaks Democratic Convention
-Not appointing a Deputy Speaker, especially from the Opposition, weakens long-standing parliamentary practices and signals institutional disregard.

Conclusion:
The prolonged vacancy of the Deputy Speaker is not just a lapse in procedure—it challenges the very ideals of constitutionalism, parliamentary balance, and deliberative democracy. A time-bound, inclusive, and convention-respecting approach is essential to restore institutional harmony. As PDT Achary aptly said, “The majesty of the Constitution lies not in lofty text but in diligent compliance.”