The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Chairperson, Dr. Christopher Kalila, MP says speakers and
presiding officers play a vital role in upholding constitutional order, safeguarding, parliamentary independence, and ensuring that institutions of parliament remain effective, inclusive and respected by the citizens they serve. He was speaking this morning during the official opening of the 28th Conference of speakers and presiding officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) in New Delhi, India.

Dr. Kalila further emphasized that Speakers and Presiding officers are the glue that holds the CPA together, adding that their commitment and dedication to the work of the organisation is what drives and keeps the CPA relevant among its member parliaments and at the global stage.

Speaking when he officially opened the conference, the Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi also
emphasized the important role of Speakers and Presiding Officers in parliamentary democracy.

The Prime Minister further highlighted that in India, democracy delivers and that the country’s diversity is the strength of their democracy. He cited the 2024 election among others as an astounding example of India’s working democracy which yielded 980 million registered voters and the participation of over 700 political parties.

CSPOC is a conference that brings together the Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth. The conference aims to maintain, foster and encourage impartiality and fairness on the part of Speakers and Presiding Officers of Parliaments; to promote knowledge and understanding of democracy in its various forms; and to develop parliamentary intuitions. The 28th CSPOC has attracted the highest number of Speakers and of Presiding Officers in the history of CSPOC.