Extension of Lok Sabha term during emergency
Topic: Emergency Provisions and President's Rule · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
Normally the Lok Sabha and state assemblies have a five-year term. While a national emergency is in force, Parliament can extend that term by law, one year at a time (Article 83(2) for the Lok Sabha, Article 172(1) for state assemblies). The extension cannot run beyond six months after the emergency ends. The power matters because it lets a government delay elections.
Example
The 5th Lok Sabha, elected in 1971, was extended by the House of the People (Extension of Duration) Act 1976. The 42nd Amendment (1976) also set a six-year term. The House was dissolved in January 1977, and the 44th Amendment (1978) restored the five-year term.
Don't confuse with
- Extension of President's rule: this extends the Union's rule over a state, not the life of an elected House.