Appointment:

·        The Pro-tem Speaker is appointed temporarily until the formal Speaker of the House is elected through a simple majority in the Lok Sabha.

·        The most senior member of the Lok Sabha, usually from the opposition party, is typically chosen to act as the Pro-tem Speaker.

Role:

·        The Pro-tem Speaker’s main responsibility is to administer the oath of office to newly elected Members of Parliament and conduct other essential proceedings at the beginning of a new Lok Sabha session.

·        The term ‘pro-tem’ signifies that the position is held on a temporary basis until the permanent Speaker is elected.

Legal Basis:

·        Although the Indian Constitution does not explicitly mention the Pro-tem Speaker, the ‘Handbook on the Working of Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs’ outlines the procedures for the appointment and swearing-in of the Pro-tem Speaker.