The House of Representatives has amended the Electoral Act 2026 to criminalise dual membership of political parties, introducing penalties including a N10 million fine and up to two years’ imprisonment for offenders.
Passed during Wednesday’s plenary, the amendment adds three new subsections to Section 77 of the Electoral Act, which governs political party membership. It stipulates that anyone registered with more than one party at the same time will have their memberships automatically voided.
The law also creates a criminal offence for knowingly maintaining membership in multiple parties. “A person who knowingly registers or maintains membership in more than one political party commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N10 million or imprisonment for a term of two years, or both,” the provision states.
Lawmakers said the amendment aims to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral legal framework, promote party discipline, and curb practices that undermine the political system’s integrity.
If signed into law by President Bola Tinubu, the measure will enforce clearer consequences for multiple party membership and reinforce compliance with party affiliation rules.
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