Abuja, Nigeria – The amendment, passed during Wednesday’s plenary, prescribes a fine of N10 million, a two-year prison term, or both for individuals found guilty of belonging to more than one political party at the same time.
The lawmakers introduced three new subsections to Section 77 of the Electoral Act, which deals with political party membership.
Under the new provision, anyone discovered to be registered as a member of more than one political party simultaneously will have such memberships declared void.
The amendment states that such individuals will cease to be recognised as valid members of any political party until their status is regularised in accordance with the law and the constitution of the affected political party.
It further provides that knowingly registering or maintaining membership in multiple political parties constitutes an offence punishable upon conviction with the stipulated fine, imprisonment, or both.
If signed into law, the amendment is expected to strengthen the legal framework regulating party affiliation and curb cases of multiple party memberships in Nigeria.
