BREAKING: Reps Imposes ₦10m Fine, Two-Year Jail Term in Amended Electoral Act 2026

• The House of Representatives has amended the Electoral Act 2026 to prohibit Nigerians from belonging to more than one political party at the same time.

The House of Representatives on Wednesday amended the Electoral Act 2026 to prohibit individuals from holding membership in more than one political party simultaneously.

Under the amendment, any person found guilty of belonging to multiple political parties at the same time could face a fine of ₦10 million, a maximum prison term of two years, or both.

VerseNews reports that the proposed amendment introduces three new subsections to Section 77 of the Electoral Act, which deals with political party membership.

The provision states that any individual discovered to be registered in more than one political party at the same time would have such memberships declared invalid.

“A person shall not be registered as a member of more than one political party at the same time,” the provision reads.

It further states that where it is established that a person is registered in multiple political parties simultaneously, such memberships will be rendered void.

“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.”

The amendment also introduces criminal penalties for offenders.

“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 ₦10m or to imprisonment for a term of two years, or both.”

If eventually signed into law, the amendment is expected to strengthen the legal framework regulating party affiliation and introduce clearer sanctions for violations related to party membership.

VerseNews reports that the move by lawmakers comes amid growing concerns about politicians allegedly maintaining links with multiple political parties, a practice critics say undermines party discipline and weakens Nigeria’s electoral system.

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Although existing electoral laws require citizens to belong to only one political party at a time, enforcement has largely remained administrative, with limited legal consequences for violations. Lawmakers backing the amendment argue that the absence of strict penalties has created loopholes that some politicians exploit.

The issue has gained renewed attention in recent years due to frequent political defections and disputes over party membership registers, particularly during party primaries and candidate nominations.

Observers have also linked the problem to internal crises within major parties such as the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party, where allegations sometimes emerge that individuals maintain parallel affiliations to influence internal party processes or protect political interests.

Supporters of the amendment believe the introduction of strict penalties for dual party membership would help reinforce party discipline, improve transparency in party registers, and strengthen the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process overseen by the Independent National Electoral Commission.