The House of Representatives has amended the Electoral Act 2026 to impose a N10 million fine or two-year imprisonment on individuals who knowingly maintain membership in more than one political party at the same time.
The amendment, sponsored by House Leader, Julius Ihonvbere, prescribes a fine of N10 million, a two-year prison term, or both for individuals who knowingly register or maintain membership in more than one political party simultaneously.
The legislation specifically amends Section 77 of the Electoral Act 2026 by inserting new subsections 8 to 10 aimed at strengthening the integrity of party membership records.
Under the new provisions, an individual cannot be registered as a member of more than one political party at the same time.
Where such a situation occurs, the dual registration will be declared void and the individual will temporarily lose recognition as a member of any political party until the matter is regularised in line with party constitutions and the law.
The amendment further states that anyone found to have knowingly maintained dual membership commits an offence and will be liable upon conviction to the prescribed penalties.
The bill passed first and second readings and was subsequently considered and approved by the House in the same plenary session presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu.
While deliberating on the amendment, lawmakers raised concerns that the provision could be misused for political manipulation.
However, Kalu clarified that the law targets only individuals who knowingly maintain membership in multiple parties.
He noted that politicians intending to switch parties must formally document their resignation from their previous party before registering with another.
Meanwhile, some opposition parties, including the African Democratic Congress and the New Nigeria Peoples Party, have earlier criticised aspects of the Electoral Act 2026 signed by Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
They called on the National Assembly to further review sections of the law, particularly provisions relating to electronic transmission of results and party primaries, to strengthen Nigeria’s multi-party democratic system.
The Act also requires political parties to submit their membership registers to the Independent National Electoral Commission by April 2, with only individuals listed in the registers eligible to contest elections.
