Lame-duck session
Topic: Parliamentary Procedure, Committees and Privileges · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
A lame-duck session is the last session of an outgoing Lok Sabha, held after a new Lok Sabha has already been elected. Some members who sit in it have lost the election or did not contest. These members are called "lame ducks". They still hold their seats until the old House ends, but they will not be in the next one. The term comes from parliamentary practice. It is not found in the Constitution.
Example
Suppose the general election results are declared but the old Lok Sabha meets once more before it is dissolved. A member who lost their seat can still attend that session and vote in it. That member is a lame duck.
Don't confuse with
- Interim budget: an outgoing government presents it in an election year, before the election is held. A lame-duck session comes after the new House has been elected.
Related concepts
- Session of Parliament
- Summoning of Parliament
- President's special address
- Adjournment
- Adjournment sine die
- Prorogation
- Dissolution of the Lok Sabha
- Lapse of bills
- Quorum