The House of Representatives on Wednesday passed an amendment to the Electoral Act, proposing stiff penalties for individuals who maintain membership in more than one political party.
The amendment, adopted during plenary, prescribes a fine of N10m, a two-year prison term, or both for offenders found guilty of dual party membership.
The lawmakers said the move was aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s electoral framework and addressing the persistent issue of politicians belonging to multiple political parties simultaneously.
The proposed amendment introduces three new subsections to Section 77 of the Electoral Act 2026, which regulates political party membership.
According to the new provision, individuals are prohibited from registering as members of more than one political party at the same time.
It further states that where a person is discovered to have registered with multiple parties concurrently, such memberships will be declared void.
The amendment reads in part, “A person shall not be registered as a member of more than one political party at the same time.
“Where it is established that a person is registered as a member of more than one political party at the same time, such dual membership shall be void, and the person 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.”
It added that anyone who knowingly registers or maintains membership in more than one political party commits an offence.
“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,” the provision stated.
Political analysts say the amendment, if eventually signed into law, could curb political opportunism and reinforce discipline within Nigeria’s party system.
The bill will proceed to the Senate for concurrence before being transmitted to the President for assent.
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