NASS Amends Electoral Act to Ban Dual Party Membership

On October 3, 2023, the National Assembly of Nigeria amended the Electoral Act, following presidential assent from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The amendment, sponsored by House Leader Hon. Julius Ihonvber, specifically prohibits politicians from holding dual membership in political parties.

This change alters Section 77 of the existing Electoral Act, establishing that any person registered as a member of more than one political party will have their membership deemed void. Additionally, a new provision, Section 77(10), states that individuals knowingly maintaining dual membership will face penalties, including a fine of N10,000,000 or a two-year imprisonment term.

The bill was expedited through the legislative process, with Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu suspending relevant rules to facilitate its second and third readings. However, member Sada Soli Abubakar Fulata raised concerns that the amendment might contravene Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees freedom of association, suggesting that denying membership in two parties could infringe on this right.