Breaking: House of Representatives amends Electoral Act, prescribes #10 million fine & jail term for dual party membership
The House of Representatives has amended the Electoral Act 2026 to criminalise dual membership of political parties.
Under the new provision, any individual found to be a member of more than one political party at the same time will face a fine of N10 million, a maximum prison sentence of two years, or both upon conviction.
The lower legislative chamber passed the amendment during Wednesday’s plenary session.
The amendment introduces three additional subsections to Section 77 of the Electoral Act 2026, which governs political party membership.
According to the revised provision, no individual is permitted to be registered as a member of more than one political party simultaneously.
It further states that where a person is discovered to be registered with multiple political parties at the same time, such memberships will automatically be declared void. In addition, the individual will no longer be recognised as a valid member of any political party until the situation is properly regularised in accordance with the Electoral Act and the constitution of the relevant political party.
The amendment also makes it a criminal offence for anyone to knowingly register or maintain membership in more than one political party at the same time.
“A person shall not be registered as a member of more than one political party at the same time,” the provision states.
It adds: “Where it is established that a person is registered as a member of more than one political party simultaneously, such dual membership shall be void, and the individual shall cease to be recognised as a valid member of any political party pending regularisation in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the constitution of the political party concerned.
“A person who knowingly registers or maintains membership in more than one political party at the same time commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N10,000,000, or imprisonment for a term of two years, or both.”
If eventually signed into law, the amendment is expected to strengthen the legal framework governing political party affiliation in Nigeria and curb the practice of multiple party memberships.