Pro-tem Speaker of Lok Sabha

A senior Lok Sabha MP is temporarily appointed as a protem speaker to administer the oath to new members. 

 Key Highlights

---

• Pro-tem Speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha: Bhartruhari Mahtab (MP from the Cuttack Lok Sabha constituency).
• Appointment & Oath: The President administers the oath of the protem speaker at Rastrapati Bhawan.
• The Constitution does not mention the post of Pro-tem speaker. However, the official ‘Handbook on the Working of the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs speaks about the ‘Appointment and Swearing in of Speaker pro tem’.
• The Legislative I Section of the legislative department of the Government of India prepares a list of the seniormost Lok Sabha members.
• The list is submitted to the prime minister for identifying an MP as Speaker pro tem.
• Three other MPs, the next in terms of seniority, are appointed to assist the Pro-tem speaker.
• Functions of Pro tem Speaker: The speaker protem administers the oath or affirmation to the newly elected MPs.