Reps Approve Jail Time for Dual Party Membership

On Wednesday, the House of Representatives approved an amendment to the Electoral Act 2026, which prohibits individuals from holding membership in multiple political parties simultaneously. The proposed amendment introduces three new subsections to Section 77 of the Act, stating that anyone found guilty of dual party membership will face a fine of N10 million and a maximum prison term of two years.

The amendment aims to address concerns regarding politicians allegedly maintaining links with multiple parties, which critics argue undermines party discipline and weakens Nigeria's electoral system. The law already requires citizens to belong to only one political party at a time, and the absence of clear criminal sanctions has allowed politicians to exploit loopholes.

This issue has gained prominence due to frequent political defections and disputes over party membership, particularly during primary elections. The amendment is expected to reinforce party discipline, improve transparency in party registration, and strengthen the integrity of Nigeria's electoral process overseen by the Independent National Electoral Commission.