The House of Representatives on Wednesday amended Section 77 of the recently signed Electoral Act 2026, introducing penalties for individuals who knowingly hold membership in more than one political party simultaneously. Offenders may face a two-year jail term, a N10 million fine, or both
During a committee of the whole session chaired by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Okezie Kalu, lawmakers inserted three new clauses—8, 9, and 10—into Section 77. The clauses were debated extensively before being approved.
Under the new provisions, any individual found to belong to multiple political parties at the same time will have their membership in all affected parties nullified.
Clause 8 states: “A person shall not be registered as a member of more than one political party at the same time.”
Clause 9 provides: “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.”
Clause 10 outlines the penalties: “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.”
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