Chandigarh, October 3, 2022 (Yes Punjab News)
Former Punjab Deputy Speaker Bir Devinder Singh today said, Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan has committed a colossal gaffe while announcing the result of the votes on the confidence motion on the floor of the House today.
It was an embarrassing imprudence on the part of the Speaker and sad reflection on the wisdom of the ‘Chair’ to count a vote or the votes against the explicit wish of the member of the House, he said.
Bir Devinder Singh said, “I wonder how the Speaker has decided to count, two more additional votes for the motion, in the absence of any expression by Manpreet Singh Ayali (SAD) and Nachhatar Pal (BSP) in favour of the motion, particularly when both members were present and seated on the opposition benches?”
Even if both these members did not raise their hand, neither in favor nor against the motion; how could Speaker at his own construe that the silence means support to the motion. As per rules of the House; even in this situation their votes cannot be counted for the motion. Rule 88 (2) of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business, unambiguously states: “A member is not obliged to vote”. So, a member despite being present in the house at the time of the Division of the votes is not obliged to vote compulsorily.
He former Deputy Speaker said, the Speaker must rectify this ‘Titanic Error’ immediately by asking the Vidhan Sabha Secretariat to issue a ‘Special apology Bulletin’ by the Speaker, making necessary correction on the basis of the communication received from both the members of the House, raising serious objection on the ruling of the Speaker. And if a Vidhan Sabha bulletin regarding the proceedings of the sitting of the house has already been issued then necessary corrigendum must be issued forthwith.
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