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INDIA
Lok Sabha (House of the People)

This page contains the full text of the PARLINE database entry on the selected parliamentary chamber, with the exception of Specialized bodies modules which, because of their excessive length, can be only viewed and printed separately.

Modules:
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE PARLIAMENTARY CHAMBER

Parliament name (generic / translated) Sansad / Parliament
More photos  >>>
Structure of parliament Bicameral
Chamber name (generic / translated) Lok Sabha / House of the People
Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Rajya Sabha / Council of States
Affiliation to the IPU Yes
Affiliation date(s) 1949 -
LEADERSHIP
President Sumitra Mahajan (F) 
Notes Elected on 6 June 2014.
Secretary General Snehlata Shrivastava (F) 
Notes Appointed on 1st Dec. 2017.
COMPOSITION
Members (statutory / current number) 545 / 542
PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN


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Women (current number) 64 (11.81%)
Mode of designation directly elected 543
appointed 2
Notes Appointed members: Two members of the Anglo-Indian Community are nominated by the President.
The Constitution provides that the House shall have a maximum of 552 members. Up to 530 members represent the states, up to 20 members represent the union territories and not more than two members of the Anglo-Indian Community are nominated by the President, if, in the President's opinion, that community is not adequately represented in the House.
Term 5 years
Last renewal dates 7 April 2014
12 May 2014 (View details)
CONTACT INFORMATION
Address Lok Sabha
Parliament House
Parliament Street
NEW DELHI 110001
(Export mailing lists)
Phone (91 11) 2301 74 65
2303 42 55
2303 45 67
2309 24 63 (IPU Cell)
2303 44 27 (IPU Cell)
Fax (91 11) 2379 21 07
E-mail ipuc-lss@sansad.nic.in
Website
http://loksabha.nic.in/
http://parliamentofindia.nic.in/

ELECTORAL SYSTEM

Parliament name (generic / translated) Sansad / Parliament
Structure of parliament Bicameral
Chamber name (generic / translated) Lok Sabha / House of the People
Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Rajya Sabha / Council of States
LEGAL FRAMEWORK
Electoral law 17 July 1951
Last amendment: 01/08/1996
Mode of designation directly elected 543
appointed 2
Constituencies 543 single-member constituencies.
Voting system Majority: Direct, simple majority vote.
Vacancies arising between general elections are filled through by-elections within six months for elective seats (unless the remaining term is less than one year) and by nomination by the President for the two appointed seats.
Voting is not compulsory.
Voter requirements - age: 18 years
- Indian citizenship
- ordinary residence in the constituency where voting takes place
- disqualifications: insanity, conviction and imprisonment sentence of at least two years (within last six years), electoral offence, certain other convictions
CANDIDATES
Eligibility Qualified electors
- age: 25 years
- Indian citizenship
- ineligibility: undischarged bankruptcy, allegiance to a foreign State, certain convictions or dismissals
Incompatibilities - members of the armed forces
- certain offices of profit (e.g. public offices, government contractors)
Candidacy requirements - nomination by one qualified elector (party candidates) or 10 such electors (independents)
- deposit of 10,000 rupees (5,000 rupees for candidates of Scheduled Caste or Tribe), reimbursed if the candidate is elected or obtains more than 1/6 of the valid votes cast in the constituency

LAST ELECTIONS

Parliament name (generic / translated) Sansad / Parliament
Structure of parliament Bicameral
Chamber name (generic / translated) Lok Sabha / House of the People
Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Rajya Sabha / Council of States
BACKGROUND
Dates of election / renewal (from/to) (from/to)7 April 2014
12 May 2014
Timing and scope of renewal The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by Mr. Narendra Modi, more than doubled its share from 116 to 282 seats in the 545-member House of the People. The BJP headed the National Democratic Alliance coalition (NDA), which altogether won an absolute majority, with over 330 seats. The Indian National Congress (INC) presided by Ms. Sonia Gandhi saw its share drastically reduced from 206 to 44 seats.

During the election campaign, the BJP pledged to work for development and economic growth, promising more jobs. Mr. Modi promised "minimum government, maximum governance". The INC ran on the government's record, citing an average annual growth rate of 7.5% and 140 million people raised out of poverty in the last ten years. It vowed to continue to promote social harmony and issues of national interest. The 128-year-old party was reportedly suffering internal divisions and struggling to recover from several corruption scandals.

On 26 May, Mr. Modi was sworn in as the new Prime Minister, succeeding Mr. Manmohan Singh (INC).
Date of previous elections: 16 April - 13 May 2009

Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature: 18 May 2014

Timing of election: Upon normal expiry

Expected date of next elections: April - May 2019

Number of seats at stake: 543 (full renewal)

Number of candidates: 8,251 (7,583 men, 668 women)

Percentage of women candidates: 8.1%

Number of parties contesting the election: 464

Number of parties winning seats: 35

Alternation of power: Yes

Number of parties in government: 6

Names of parties in government: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Lok Jan Shakti Party, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Shivsena, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP).

Date of the first session of the new parliament: 4 June 2014

Name of the new Speaker: Ms. Sumitra Mahajan (BJP)
STATISTICS
Voter turnout
Round no 1 (from/to)7 April 2014
12 May 2014
Number of registered electors
Voters
Blank or invalid ballot papers
Valid votes
834'082'814
554'175'255 (66.44%)

Notes
Distribution of votes
Round no 1
Political group Candidates Votes % of votes
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
Indian National Congress (INC)
All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK)
All India Trinamool Congress (AITC)
Biju Janata Dal (BJD)
Shivsena
Telugu Desam Party (TDP)
Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS)
Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI (M))
Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party
Nationalist Congress Party
Lok Jan Shakti Party
Samajwadi Party (SP)
Rashtriya Janata Dal
Aam Aadmi Party
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)
All India United Democratic Front
Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party
Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP)
Independents
Indian National Lok Dal
Indian Union Muslim League
Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S))
Janata Dal (United)
Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)
Apna Dal
Communist Party of India (CPI)
All India N.R. Congress
Kerala Congress (M) (KC(M))
All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen
Nagaland People's Front (NPF)
National Peoples Party
Revolutionary Socialist Party
Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF)
Swabhimani Paksha
Pattali Makkal Katchi
Distribution of seats
Round no 1
Political Group Total of seats
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) 282
Indian National Congress (INC) 44
All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) 37
All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) 34
Biju Janata Dal (BJD) 20
Shivsena 18
Telugu Desam Party (TDP) 16
Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) 11
Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI (M)) 9
Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party 9
Nationalist Congress Party 6
Lok Jan Shakti Party 6
Samajwadi Party (SP) 5
Rashtriya Janata Dal 4
Aam Aadmi Party 4
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) 4
All India United Democratic Front 3
Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party 3
Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP) 3
Independents 3
Indian National Lok Dal 2
Indian Union Muslim League 2
Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S)) 2
Janata Dal (United) 2
Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) 2
Apna Dal 2
Communist Party of India (CPI) 1
All India N.R. Congress 1
Kerala Congress (M) (KC(M)) 1
All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen 1
Nagaland People's Front (NPF) 1
National Peoples Party 1
Revolutionary Socialist Party 1
Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) 1
Swabhimani Paksha 1
Pattali Makkal Katchi 1
Distribution of seats according to sex
Men

Women

Percent of women
481

62

11.42%
Distribution of seats according to age
Distribution of seats according to profession
Comments
Sources:
Lok Sabha (26.05.2014, 27.05.2014, 23.06.2014, 01.01.2015, 01.01.2017)
http://cabsec.nic.in/showpdf.php?type=council_cabinet_cabinetministers
http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/archiveofge2014/12%20-%20State%20wise%20Voter%20Turnout.pdf

PRESIDENCY OF THE PARLIAMENTARY CHAMBER

Parliament name (generic / translated) Sansad / Parliament
Structure of parliament Bicameral
Chamber name (generic / translated) Lok Sabha / House of the People
Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Rajya Sabha / Council of States
APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE
Title Speaker of the Lok Sabha
Term - duration: 5 years (term of House)
- reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, ceasing to be a Member of the House, being removed removed from his office by a resolution of the House, death, dissolution of the Parliament
Appointment - elected by all the Members of the Lok Sabha at a date fixed by the President following the newly elected Parliament
- after newly elected Members are sworn in
Eligibility any Member may give a motion addressed to the Secretary General with the name of the chosen Speaker - all the motions which are in order are entered in the List of Business which is issued on the day preceding the election
Voting system - formal and open vote
- simple majority is required
Procedures / results - the Speaker pro tempore appointed by the President presides over the Lok Sabha during the voting
- the Speaker pro tempore supervises the voting
- the Speaker pro tempore announces the results without delay
- the results cannot be challenged
STATUS
Status - ranks 6th in the hierarchy of State, equally with the Chief Justice
- Chairman of the Rajya Sabha (Vice-President of India) has precedence over the Speaker of Lok Sabha
- represents the Lok Sabha with the public authorities
- is ex officio member of a committee which nominates the Chairman of the Press Council of India
- represents the Lok Sabha in international bodies
- in the absence of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker presides over the deliberations of the House
Board
Material facilities - salary (40,000 rupees/ month)
+ constituency allowance ((3 000 rupees/month) + daily allowance (200 r./day) + sumptuary allowance (1 000 r./month) + travelling allowance for him/her and his/her family
- free medical treatment
- official residence
- official car
- railway pass
- secretariat
- body guards
FUNCTIONS
Organization of parliamentary business - organizes the debates and ensures that time is divided between the party in power and other groups in proportion to their respective strength in the House
- examines the admissibility of bills and amendments
- refers texts to a committee for study
- constitutes and appoints parliamentary committees and appoints the presiding officers
Chairing of public sittings - can open, adjourn and close sittings
- ensures respect for provisions of the Constitution and Standing Orders
- announcements concerning the Lok Sabha are made at times by the Speaker and by the House in regard to certain matters
- takes disciplinary measures in the event of disturbance, and lifts such measures
- establishes the list of speakers, gives and withdraws permission to speak
- establishes the order in which amendments are taken up (if a Member requests that any amendment be put separately, the Speaker shall do so) and selects which amendments have to be debated
- calls for a vote and invites Members to say yes or no and gives his/her opinion about the results - this opinion can be challenged, in this case, the Speaker puts the question a second time and if his/her opinion is again challenged, orders that the votes be recorded by division
- checks the quorum
- authenticates the texts adopted and the records of debates
Special powers - supervises the establishment of the Lok Sabha's budget prepared by the Secretariat
- recruits, assigns and promotes staff with the Secretariat,
- appoints the Clerk
- supervises the Secretariat who organizes the services of Parliament
- heads the parliamentary delegation abroad and receives delegation from other Parliaments
- is responsible for relations with other Parliaments, through bilateral exchange of parliamentary delegations
- is responsible for safety, and in this capacity, can call the police in the event of disturbance in the Lok Sabha
Speaking and voting rights, other functions - has only a casting vote which he/she must exercise in case of an equality of votes
- intervenes in the parliamentary oversight procedure, according to the Rules

PARLIAMENTARY MANDATE

Parliament name (generic / translated) Sansad / Parliament
Structure of parliament Bicameral
Chamber name (generic / translated) Lok Sabha / House of the People
Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Rajya Sabha / Council of States
NATURE
Nature of the mandate · Free representation
Start of the mandate · When results are declared. However, privileges and immunities accrue to MPs only when they have taken the oath or have subscribed affirmation and have signed the Roll of Members (Art. 99 and 104 of the Constitution of 26.01.1950, as amended to the 78th Amendment Act 1995, Third Schedule to the Constitution, Rules 5 and 6 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, Chapter 1 of the Directions by the Speaker of Lok Sabha). Procedure.
Validation of mandates · No validation except in case of challenge by parliamentary election petitions (election trials, (in)validation by the appropriate judiciary (Art. 102 (1) (e) of the Constitution, Art. 100 of the Representation of the People Act 1951)) or in case of legal disabilities ((in)validation by the President (Art. 102 (1), 103, and 104 of the Constitution)). See Loss of mandate (b) and (d).
End of the mandate · On the day when the legal term of the House ends - or on the day of early dissolution (see Art. 83 (2) and 85 (2) (b) of the Constitution)
Can MPs resign? Yes · Of their own free will (Art. 101 (3) of the Constitution, Rule 240 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha)
· Procedure (Art. 101 (3) of the Constitution, Rule 240 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, Direction 47B of the Directions by the Speaker of Lok Sabha)
· Authority competent to accept the resignation: the Speaker
Can MPs lose their mandate ? Yes (a) Definitive exclusion from Parliament by the latter:
- Disqualification from membership on ground of defection (Art. 102 (2), and 104 of the Constitution, Tenth Schedule to the Constitution, The Members of Lok Sabha Disqualification on Ground of Defection Rules; Appendix IV of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha); see also Code of conduct)
- Expulsion (see also Discipline, and Code of conduct)
- Loss of mandate for not attending sittings of Parliament (Art. 101 (4) of the Constitution, Rule 241 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of Lok Sabha)
(b) Loss of mandate by judicial decision: election trials (Art. 102 (1) (e) of the Constitution, Art. 100 of the Representation of the People Act 1951)
(c) Loss of mandate for incompatibilities (Art. 101 (1) to (3) of the Constitution)
(d) Disqualification from membership by the President of India (Art. 102 (1), 103, and 104 of the Constitution)
STATUS OF MEMBERS
Rank in hierarchy · Outside Parliament: the official order of precedence ranks the MPs in the 21st position.
Indemnities, facilities and services · Diplomatic passport
· Basic salary: INR 16,000 per month
+ Constituency Allowance: INR 6,000 per month
+ Office Expense
Allowance: INR 5,500 per month (see also Art. 97 and 106 of the Constitution, and the Second Schedule to the Constitution)
· Total exemption from tax
· Special pension scheme
· Other facilities:
(a) Secretariat: stenographic assistance
(b) Assistants (see also Art. 98 of the Constitution)
(c) Official housing
(d) Telephone services
(e) Travel and transport
(f) Others
Obligation to declare personal assets No
Parliamentary immunity - parliamentary non-accountability · The concept does exist (Art. 105 (1) and (2) of the Constitution).
· Parliamentary non-accountability is limited to words spoken or written by MPs and votes cast within Parliament.
· Derogations: defamatory or incriminatory allegation (Rule 353 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha; see Discipline)
· Non-accountability takes effect on the day when the mandate begins and offers, after the expiry of the mandate, protection against prosecution for opinions expressed during the exercise of the mandate.
Parliamentary immunity - parliamentary inviolability · The concept does exist (Art. 105 (3) of the Constitution).
· It applies only to civil proceedings, covers all offences with the exception of particularly serious and minor offences and protects MPs only from arrest. In case of arrest on a criminal charge or for a criminal offence, sentence to imprisonment by a court, arrest under an executive order, or release, the Parliament has to be informed (Rules 229 to 231 of, and Third Schedule to, the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of Lok Sabha). For an arrest or legal process, civil or criminal, within the precincts of the House, the permission of the Speaker has to be obtained (Rules 232 to 233 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha).
· No derogations are foreseen.
· Parliamentary inviolability does prevent MPs from being called as witnesses before a judge or tribunal in respect of matters relating to business before the House.
· Protection is provided from 40 days before a session of the House to 40 days after the session. Since it does not cover judicial pro-ceedings in general, it does not cover judicial proceedings instituted against MPs before their election.
· Parliamentary immunity (inviolability) cannot be lifted.
· Parliament cannot subject the prosecution and/or detention to certain conditions.
· Parliament cannot suspend the prosecution and/or detention of one of its members.
· In the event of imprisonment under the emergency legislation or on criminal charges, the MPs concerned can be authorised to attend sittings of Parliament [references, texts or comments]:
- Competent authority:
- Procedure: the MP may approach the competent authority which may permit him to attend the sitting and return to jail.
EXERCISE OF THE MANDATE
Training · There is a training/initiation process on parliamentary practices and procedures for MPs.
· It is provided by the Bureau of Parliamentary Studies and Training. Senior MPs, leaders of political parties and experts are involved.
Participation in the work of the Parliament · It is not compulsory for MPs to be present at plenary sittings, committee meetings or other meetings.
· Penalties foreseen in case of absence (Art. 101 (4) of the Constitution, Rule 241 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha): loss of mandate
· Body competent to judge such cases/to apply the penalties: the House of the People
Discipline · The rules governing discipline within Parliament are contained in Rules 222 to 228, 353, 356, 373 to 375, 378, 380, and 381 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, and in customary law.
· Disciplinary measures foreseen:
- Order to discontinue the speech (Rule 356 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha)
- Order to withdraw for the rest of the sitting (Rule 373 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha)
- Naming and suspension (Rule 374 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha)
- Adjournment of the House or suspension of the sitting (Rule 375 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha)
· Specific cases:
- Defamatory or incriminatory allegation (Rules 353, 380, and 381 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha): prohibition of the allegation, expunction from the proceedings
- Contempt of the House (breach of privilege) in cases of misconduct within the House (Rules 222 to 228 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha): reprimand or admonition, imprisonment, suspension, expulsion (penal jurisdiction)
· Competent body to judge such cases/to apply penalties (see also Rule 378 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha):
- Order to discontinue the speech, order to withdraw for the rest of the sitting, adjournment of the House or suspension of the sitting, defamatory or incriminatory allegation: the Speaker
- Naming and suspension: the Speaker, the House of the People
- Contempt of the House (breach of privilege) in cases of misconduct within the House: the House of the People
· Procedure:
- Order to discontinue the speech (Rule 356 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha)
- Order to withdraw for the rest of the sitting (Rule 373 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha)
- Naming and suspension (Rule 374 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha)
- Adjournment of the House or suspension of the sitting (Rule 375 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha)
- Defamatory or incriminatory allegation (Rules 353, 380, and 381 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha)
- Contempt of the House (breach of privilege) in cases of misconduct within the House (Rules 222 to 228 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha)
Code (rules) of conduct · This concept does exist in the country's juridical system in a customary form. There are also some relevant written provisions (Art. 102 (2) and 104 of the Constitution, Tenth Schedule to the Constitution, Rules 222 to 228 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, The Members of Lok Sabha Disqualification on Ground of Defection Rules (Appendix IV of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha)). Moreover, recommendations on a written code of conduct have been made by the Committee on Ethics and Privileges (for the recommendations made with respect to a declaration of interests, see Obligation to declare personal assets).
· Penalties foreseen for violation of those provisions:
- Reprimand or admonition
- Imprisonment
- Suspension
- Expulsion
- Disqualification from membership on ground of defection (Art. 102 (2) of the Constitution, Tenth Schedule to the Constitution)
· Competent body to judge such cases/to impose penalties:
- Reprimand or admonition, imprisonment, suspension, expulsion: the House of the People
- Disqualification from membership on ground of defection: the Speaker or an elected Member
· Procedure:
- Reprimand or admonition, imprisonment, suspension, expulsion (Rules 222 to 228 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha).
- Disqualification from membership on ground of defection (Art. 102 (2), and 104 of the Constitution, Tenth Schedule to the Constitution, The Members of Lok Sabha Disqualification on Ground of Defection Rules (Appendix IV of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha)). In this case, MPs have no means of recourse.
Relations between MPs and pressure group · There are no legal provisions in this field.

This page was last updated on 15 December 2017
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