The Ul

Constitution lays down that there shall be a Parliament for the Union.

Parliament consists of people’s elected representatives.

Govt at the centre is called the UG. Consists of the President and the 2 Houses of the

Parliament. House of the People (the Lok Sabha) is the lower

chamber. Council of States (Rajya Sabha) is the upper

chamber of the Parliament.

Composition: Constitution originally fixed the max strength at 500 members.

After 1961 census this number was raised to 525.

After 1971 census this number was raised to 545.

Present strength of LS is 5435 including 2 members of the AIC nominated by the President of India.

Territorial areas set up for the purpose of election in each State or Union Territory are called parliamentary constituencies.

At present there exist 543 parliamentary constituencies against 543 seats to be contested for the LS.

Any number of members may contest the election from the same constituency.

Seats in LS are allotted to varous States and UT on the basis of their respective populations.

Special provisions were made for reservation of seats in the LS for SC & ST.

The reservation is to be made based on the population ratio of the SC & ST for 49 seats.

In a reserved constituency, persons belonging to only these castes and tribes can contest the election to ensure due representation of weaker sections of society in the Govt.

These weaker sections on their own, may not have been able to compete with more resourceful persons belonging to the advanced communities

Election of LS is Direct i.e. the people themselves elect the candidate of their choice.

Key note of the Indian Electoral System= UAF No person can be barred from the voting right on

the grounds of gender, caste, colour or religion. Secret ballot- Every voter castes the vote

secretly for a candidate of his or her choice without fear.

Should be a citizen of India Should not be less than 25 years of age. Should not be a proclaimed criminal. Should not be a direct beneficiary of the Govt

and should not hold an office of profit under the Govt.

If he holds any office of profit under the Govt of India or Govt of any state but a minister for the Union or for a state.

If he is of unsound mind declared by a competent Court.

If he is an undischarged insolvent. If he has ceased to be a citizen of India or has

voluntarily acquired citizenship of a foreign State or is under acknowledged allegiance or adherence to a foreign power.

If he is disqualified by or under any law made the Parliament

By writing a letter to the Speaker indicating the fact that he/she is vacating his seat.

May be removed on the grounds if defection as per norms laid down under the Tenth Schedule.

May also be removed if he/she is absent form the House for more than 60 days.

Term of the LS is fixed at 5 years by the Constitution.

LS can be dissolved by the President before the expiry of its term on the advice of the PM.

During the period of the national emergency, the life o the LS may be extended by the President beyond five years for one year at a time.

Its extending term should not be beyond a period of six months after the national emergency is lifted.

Sessions of LS are summoned by the President of India.

According to the Constitution, there should not be an internal of more than six months between its two consecutive sessions.

It implies that the LS must meet at least twice a year.

President may convene a Joint Session of both Houses as and when necessary.

Means the minimum number of members required to be present in the House to enable it to transact business.

One tenth of the total strength of the House constitutes the quorum in the LS for transacting business.

The Speaker may adjourn the meeting if it dos not meet the quorum of the House.

The Presiding officer of the LS is called the Speaker and is elected soon after the newly elected House meets for the first time.

During his absence the DS takes charge and is elected by the House.

S & DS are elected by the LS from amongst its own members.

Constitution= When the House is dissolved the Speaker shall not vacate his office.

Will continue in office till a new Speaker is elected by the newly elected LS in its first meeting.

Normal term of a speaker is five years. May seek re-election any number of times.

May resign by submitting resignation addressed to the DS.

Can be removed from his office by a resolution of the House passed by a majority of the members of the House.

If the Speaker is to be removed form office, a 14 –day notice should be given of the intention of the House to move the resolution.

During this period of 14 days the DS presides over the meetings of the House.

Speaker represents the House, must be neutral, non-partisan and impartial.

Regulatory Powers. Supervisory Powers Miscellaneous Powers

Speaker represents the House, must be neutral, non-partisan and impartial.

Regulatory Powers. Supervisory Powers Miscellaneous Powers