The House of Representatives has passed a fresh amendment to the Electoral Act 2026, which was signed into law last month by President Bola Tinubu.
The fresh amendment, which was taken through first and second reading as well as committee consideration and third reading at plenary, yesterday, introduced three new clauses to Section 77 of the Electoral Act, which deals with membership of political parties.
The proposed legislation prescribes a fine of N10 million and a maximum of two years imprisonment for any one found guilty of belonging to two political parties at the same time, as well as the loss of membership of both parties.
The proposed legislation, which was sponsored by the House leader, Julius Ihonvbere, states that, “A person shall not be registered as a member of more than one political party at the same time.
“Where it is established that a person is registered as a member of more than one political party at the same time, such dual membership shall be void and the person shall cease to be recognised as a valid member of any political party pending regularisation, in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the constitution of the political party concerned.
“A person who knowingly registers or maintains membership in more than one political party at the same time commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N10 million or imprisonment for a term of two years or both.” The proposal generated diverse reactions from lawmakers, with some supporting it, while others called for caution. Chairman, House Committee on Solid Minerals, Jonathan Gaza, while expressing support for the bill, stated it would be mischievous for any one to register as member of two political parties.
However, the chairman, House Committee on University Education, Abubakar Fulata, said the proposed alteration was seemingly in conflict with Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution ( as amended) .
According to him, “this proposed amendment seems to be in contravention of Section 40 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, which guarantees the freedom of association at any time.
“Instead of denying the membership of two parties, I think we should recommend that you be limited to only one. Denying him the freedom to associate with all the political parties to which he might have belonged is a contravention of his right under Section 40 of the Constitution.”
The deputy speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the plenary, in his intervention, stated that individuals should identify with a political party that suits their ideologies, rather than registering in multiple political parties.
Kalu added that dual party membership was ‘fraudulent misrepresentation.’
Credit: The Sun