The House of Representatives Nigeria has amended the Electoral Act 2026, introducing a ₦10 million fine or a two-year prison sentence for individuals found to be registered members of more than one political party at the same time.
The amendment bill, sponsored by House Leader Julius Ihonvbere, was listed for first reading and passed through second reading and consideration on the same day during plenary.
Lawmakers approved the bill after amending Section 77 of the Electoral Act, which deals with political parties and their administration within Nigeria’s electoral system.
Under the amendment, three new subsections 8, 9, and 10 were inserted to address the issue of multiple party memberships.
Subsection 8 states that no individual shall be registered as a member of more than one political party at the same time.
Subsection 9 provides that if a person is discovered to have dual membership, such registration will be declared void and the individual will cease to be recognised as a member of any political party until the issue is regularised in line with the provisions of the law and the constitution of the relevant party.
Subsection 10 introduces sanctions, stating that anyone who knowingly registers or maintains membership in more than one political party simultaneously commits an offence and is liable upon conviction to a ₦10 million fine, two years imprisonment, or both.
Some opposition parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), have called on the National Assembly of Nigeria to revisit other aspects of the Electoral Act.
The parties are particularly concerned about Section 60(3), which deals with the transmission of election results, and Section 84, which addresses the mode of party primaries.
Political parties are also expected to submit their membership registers to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by April 2, with the law stipulating that only individuals listed in the register will be eligible to contest elections.
During the debate, some lawmakers raised concerns about potential abuse of the law by political actors.
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the session, clarified that the key word in the provision is “knowingly.”
According to him, anyone aware that their name appears in two political parties but fails to take steps to correct it could face the sanctions provided in the law.
Kalu stressed that the new provision is designed to discourage politicians from maintaining dual affiliations.
He added that politicians leaving a party should formally submit a written resignation as evidence before joining another party to avoid legal complications.