ABUJA, NIGERIA — The House of Representatives has amended the Electoral Act 2026 to criminalize dual membership of political parties, prescribing a fine of N10 million or imprisonment for a term of two years, or both, for anyone found guilty of belonging to more than one political party at the same time .
The amendment, which introduces three new subsections to Section 77 of the Act dealing with political party membership, was passed during Wednesday’s plenary presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu . The proposed legislation was sponsored by the House Leader, Julius Ihonvbere .
According to the new provisions, “A person shall not be registered as a member of more than one political party at the same time” . Where dual membership is established, such registration shall be void, and the person shall cease to be recognized as a valid member of any political party pending regularization .
The amendment stipulates that anyone 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” .
Lawmakers argued that the move is aimed at strengthening party discipline, promoting transparency within Nigeria’s political system, and tackling the long-standing issue of “political nomadism” where individuals maintain affiliations with multiple parties to hedge their bets during primary seasons .
The amendment also seeks to address the administrative challenges such practices create for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and to minimize post-election legal battles arising from disputed party memberships .
The passage followed a heated session of debates, after which the new clauses were considered and approved by lawmakers during the committee of the whole .
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