86th All India Presiding Officers’ Conference in Lucknow: Parliament and State legislatures focus

The 86th All India Presiding Officers’ Conference (AIPOC) is held recently in Lucknow. It's highlights presiding officers’ roles in Parliament, State legislatures, and election polling stations.

86th All India Presiding Officers’ Conference (AIPOC) and Presiding Officers: 

Dimension	Key Details
Lok Sabha Speaker	Om Birla (BJP) serves as Lok Sabha Speaker since June 17, 2019.
Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker	Position exists to assume duties in the absence of the Speaker.
Lok Sabha Panel of Chairpersons	Nominated by the Speaker (up to 10 members) to preside in the absence of the Speaker or Deputy Speaker.
Speaker Pro Tem	Appointed by the President to swear in new members and oversee the election of a new Speaker.
Rajya Sabha Chairman	Vice-President of India serves as the ex-officio Chairman.
Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman	Elected by the Rajya Sabha from among its members.
Rajya Sabha Panel of Vice-Chairpersons	Nominated by the Chairman to preside in their absence.
Key roles of presiding officers	They maintain order in the House, ensure adherence to constitutional and procedural rules, decide whether a bill qualifies as a Money Bill (Lok Sabha Speaker), rule on disqualification under anti-defection laws, and exercise a casting vote only in case of a tie.
State Legislative Assembly	Speaker and Deputy Speaker elected from among the members (Article 178).
State Legislative Council	Chairman and Deputy Chairman elected from among the members (Article 182).
Election presiding officer	Appointed by the District Election Officer for each polling station to ensure a free and fair poll.
Duties of election presiding officer	Comprises managing the polling station; supervising Polling Officers; operating Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs); maintaining the secrecy of the ballot.
Legal standing	Bound by the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and maintain a “Presiding Officer’s Diary” to record all events.