Nigeria’s House of Representatives has amended the country’s electoral law to criminalise dual membership of political parties, introducing penalties that include a ₦10 million fine and up to two years in prison for offenders.
The amendment was approved during Wednesday’s plenary session as lawmakers moved to tighten rules governing party affiliation within the electoral system. Under the new provision, any individual found to be registered with more than one political party simultaneously could face the fine, a jail term, or both upon conviction.
Lawmakers said the measure is intended to curb political opportunism and ensure greater discipline among politicians and party members.
The development follows the recent enactment of the Electoral Act 2026, which was signed into law by President Bola Tinubu after its passage by the National Assembly of Nigeria. The legislation replaced the earlier Electoral Act 2022 and introduced several new provisions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Debate over the revised law had earlier generated controversy in both chambers of the National Assembly, particularly regarding rules on the electronic transmission of election results.
In the Nigerian Senate, deliberations became tense when Enyinnaya Abaribe demanded a formal division on a key clause dealing with result transmission from polling units, triggering heated exchanges among lawmakers.
Concerns were also raised about the timing of the 2027 elections after the Independent National Electoral Commission scheduled the polls for February 2027. Some legislators warned the date could conflict with provisions requiring elections to be held at least 360 days before the expiration of elected officials’ tenure.
The House of Representatives had also witnessed a dramatic walkout by opposition lawmakers earlier in the legislative process, following disputes over procedural issues and changes to the electronic transmission clause.
Despite the controversies surrounding the broader reforms, lawmakers proceeded with further amendments, including the provision criminalising dual party membership, which they say will strengthen the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral framework ahead of future elections.
