Reps Amend Electoral Act: ₦10M Fine for Dual Membership

On Wednesday, during a plenary session, the Nigerian House of Representatives passed an amendment to the Electoral Act aimed at addressing dual party membership among political party members. The new provisions stipulate that individuals found guilty of being registered members of more than one political party at the same time will face severe penalties, including a maximum fine of ₦10 million and a prison term of up to two years.

This amendment introduces three new subsections to Section 77 of the Electoral Act 2026, which explicitly declares that any individual with dual party membership will have their membership rendered void. The move is part of a broader effort to crack down on political cross-carpeting and ensure the integrity of party affiliations within Nigeria's electoral framework.