Defection rules restrict legislators switching parties and prescribe disqualification with final decision by the presiding officer.

The Schedule prescribes disqualification for legislators who voluntarily relinquish party membership or vote/abstain against party directions without permission or condonation; elected members joining a party post-election and nominated members joining after a six month period are similarly disqualified. Exceptions protect splits where at least one third form a faction and mergers where two thirds agree. Presiding officers who resign party membership on election to office are exempt while in office. Disqualification questions are finally decided by the Speaker/Chairman, proceedings are legislative, and courts are barred; the presiding officer may make procedural rules subject to House scrutiny.

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