Prem Kumar Elected Speaker of Bihar Assembly

• 03 Dec 2025

Why in News? 

Veteran Bharatiya Janata Party leader Prem Kumar was unanimously elected as the Speaker of the Bihar Assembly on 2nd December 2025.

Key Points 

• About: Pro-tem Speaker Narendra Narayan Yadav informed the House that Prem Kumar was the only candidate for the post, and he was unanimously elected through a voice vote during the first sitting of the 18th Bihar Assembly. 
  • This is the first unanimous Speaker election since 2015, as the Opposition did not file any nomination due to lack of numbers. 
• Tradition: Following tradition, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav escorted him to the Speaker’s Chair. 
• Experience: Prem Kumar, aged 70, is a seasoned leader, continuously elected from Gaya since 1990 and serving nine terms, including roles as minister and Leader of the Opposition.

Constitutional Provisions Related to Speaker/Deputy Speaker 

• Article 93/178: Appointment of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha/ Legislative Assembly. 
• Article 94/179: Vacation/resignation/removal from the offices of Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha/Legislative Assembly. 
• Article 95/180: Power of the Deputy Speaker or other person(s) to perform the duties of the office of or to act as the Speaker of the Lok Sabha/Legislative Assembly. 
• Article 96/181: The Speaker or the Deputy Speaker not to preside while a resolution for his removal from office is under consideration. 
• Article 97/186: Salaries and allowances of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker. 

Pro Tem Speaker 

• When the Speaker of the last State Assembly vacates his office immediately before the first meeting of the newly-elected State Assembly, the Governor appoints a member of the State Assembly as the Speaker Pro Tem (usually, the senior most member). 
• The Governor himself administers oath to the Speaker Pro Tem. 
• He/She presides over the first sitting of the newly-elected State Assembly and has all the powers of the Speaker. 
• The main responsibility is to administer oaths to the new members and to enable the House to elect the new Speaker. 
• When the new Speaker is elected by the House, the office of the Speaker Pro Tem ceases to exist.