Chapter IV-A LEADER OF OPPOSITION
[1][Chapter IV-A
Leader of Opposition
23A. Declaration of Leader of Opposition.– (1) Subject to this rule, the Speaker shall declare the Leader of Opposition.
(2) After the election of the Chief Minister consequent to the general elections, or the vacation of office of the Leader of Opposition owing to any cause or on the requisition of majority of the members of the Opposition, the Speaker shall inform the members of the Opposition about the date, time and place for submission of the name for Leader of Opposition.
(3) The Speaker, after verification of the signatures of the members, shall ascertain the majority on the date, time and place fixed for submission of the name of Leader of Opposition and declare the member who commands the majority of the members of the Opposition as Leader of Opposition.
(4) In case a member of the Opposition has signed two or more proposals or he has not signed any proposal, the Speaker may ascertain the signatures of such a member for purposes of declaration of the Leader of Opposition under this rule.
23B. Removal of Leader of Opposition.– (1) A notice signed by a majority of the members of the Opposition may be given to the [2][Secretary General] showing that the Leader of Opposition has lost the support of the majority of the members of the Opposition.
(2) The name of the proposed Leader of Opposition shall be mentioned in the notice under sub-rule (1).
(3) After verification of the signatures of the members of the Opposition, if the Speaker is satisfied that the Leader of Opposition does not command the majority of the members of Opposition, he shall declare that the Leader of Opposition stands removed.
(4) When the Leader of Opposition is removed, the Speaker shall immediately ascertain the member who commands majority of the members and declare him as the Leader of Opposition.
(5) The Speaker shall follow the procedure contained in rule 23A for ascertainment of the majority under this rule.
23C. Vacancy in the office of Leader of Opposition.– Whenever the office of the Leader of Opposition becomes vacant, it shall be filled in the manner provided in rule 23A.]
[1]New Chapter added vide Notification No. PAP/Legis-1(15)/2013/1380; published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 22 February 2016, pp 3937-44.
[2]Substituted for the word “Secretary” vide Notification No.PAP/Legis-1(37)/2024/34; published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 16 April 2024; pp 4135-36.