Two-year jail, N10m fine await politicians with dual party membership – Reps
The House of Representatives on Wednesday approved an amendment to Section 77 of the recently assented Electoral Act 2026, introducing tougher penalties for individuals who maintain membership in more than one political party at the same time.
The amendment was adopted during the Committee of the Whole presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, where lawmakers inserted three new clauses — 8, 9 and 10 — into the Act after a heated debate among members.
According to the newly approved provisions, any individual discovered to be registered as a member of more than one political party simultaneously will have such memberships declared void.
Clause (8) of the amendment states that, “A person shall not be registered as a member of more than one political party at the same time.”
Clause (9) further provides that where it is established that an individual is registered in multiple political parties, the dual membership will be invalidated and the person will no longer be recognised as a valid member of any political party until the status is regularised in accordance with the Electoral Act and the constitution of the political party concerned.
Clause (10) prescribes sanctions for violators, stating that “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.”
Lawmakers said the amendment is aimed at strengthening the nation’s electoral process and ensuring discipline within political parties.
