Nigeria’s House of Representatives during Wednesday’s plenary session amended the Electoral Act 2026 to criminalise dual membership of political parties.
According to the Green Chambers, the move is aimed at strengthening party discipline and promoting transparency within Nigeria’s political system.
Under the new provision, individuals found guilty of belonging to more than one political party at the same time will face a fine of N10 million, a maximum prison term of two years, or both.
The amendment introduces three new subsections to section 77 of the Electoral Act 2026, which deals with political party membership.
It provides 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 void.
The provision of the new amendment reads, “Aperson 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 N10,000,000 or to imprisonment for a term of two years, or both.”
Top Society reports that if President Bola Tinubu assents the amendment, it would likely strengthen the legal framework governing party affiliation and curb cases of multiple party memberships.
