Which of the following statements with regard to the Speaker, Lok Sabha is/are correct ? 1. The election of the Speaker of Lok Sabha is conducted by the Election Commission of India 2. The Speaker on assuming his office is not required to make and subscribe oath or affirmation 3. The Speaker does not exercise a casting vote in case of equality of votes Select the correct answer using the code given below :

The Speaker of the Lok Sabha is elected by the House from amongst its members, with the election date fixed by the President, not the Election Commission [4]. A Speaker Pro Tem, appointed by the President, enables the House to conduct this election [2]. Regarding the oath, the Speaker does not take a separate oath upon assuming office; they take the oath only as a Member of Parliament (MP) before the Speaker Pro Tem [1]. Statement 2 is therefore correct. Regarding voting, the Speaker does not vote in the first instance but exercises a 'casting vote' specifically in the case of an equality of votes to resolve a deadlock [5]. Thus, statement 3 is incorrect as the Speaker does indeed exercise a casting vote. Consequently, only statement 2 is correct.

Sources

1. [3] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 23: Parliament > Speaker of Lok Sabha > p. 229
2. [4] Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 23: Parliament > Speaker of Lok Sabha > p. 229
3. [1] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 23: Parliament > Speaker Pro Tem > p. 233
4. [2] Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 23: Parliament > Speaker Pro Tem > p. 233
5. [5] Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 23: Parliament > Speaker of Lok Sabha > p. 230