Which of the following statements regarding the ‘casting vote’ in the Parliament is/are correct ? 1. It is cast by the speaker or a person acting as such. 2. It is cast in addition to voting in the first instance. 3. It is cast in the case of equality of votes. 4. It is always cast to maintain the status quo. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

According to Article 100 of the Constitution, the Speaker or a person acting as such does not vote in the first instance but exercises a 'casting vote' only in the case of an equality of votes [3]. This confirms statements 1 and 3 are correct. Statement 2 is incorrect because the presiding officer is explicitly barred from voting in the first instance to maintain impartiality [3]. Regarding statement 4, while it is a parliamentary convention (often referred to as Denison's Rule) for the Speaker to vote in a way that maintains the status quo or allows for further discussion, this is not a constitutional requirement or an absolute rule. The Speaker has the discretion to vote according to conscience or established norms, but the Constitution does not mandate it must 'always' be for the status quo. Therefore, only statements 1 and 3 are strictly correct.

Sources

1. [1] Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 23: Parliament > Voting in House > p. 237
2. [3] https://cms.rajyasabha.nic.in/careers_documents/1611147231706.38_An%20envisaged%20in%20the%20Constitution%20of%20India.pdf