By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
The House of Representatives has proposed a N10 million fine, a maximum of two years’ jail term, or both for individuals found guilty of belonging to more than one political party at the same time.
The proposal is part of the House’s amendment to the Electoral Act 2026 and was passed during plenary on Wednesday, March 11.
The amendment, which aims to criminalise dual party membership, introduces three new subsections to Section 77 of the Electoral Act 2026, which deals with political party membership.
The proposed amendment states that any individual found to be registered as a member of more than one political party at the same time will have such membership declared invalid.
It reads: “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.
“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 million or to imprisonment for a term of two years, or both.”
If signed into law, the amendment is expected to strengthen the legal framework governing party affiliation and curb cases of multiple party memberships.
The proposed amendment comes at a time when there are mounting concerns about politicians keeping ties to several political parties, a practice that critics say weakens Nigeria’s electoral system and compromises party discipline.
Although citizens are already required by law to only be members of one political party at a time, enforcement of this requirement has mostly been administrative, with few legal penalties for infractions.
