The on Wednesday amended Section 77 of the recently assented to impose stricter penalties on individuals who maintain membership in more than one political party at the same time.
Under the amendment, offenders risk a fine of N10 million, two years’ imprisonment, or both upon conviction.
The decision was taken during the Committee of the Whole session presided over by the Deputy Speaker, , where lawmakers introduced three new clauses, 8, 9, and 10, into Section 77 of the Act. The clauses were adopted after a heated debate among members of the House.
According to the amendment, any individual discovered to be registered as a member of more than one political party simultaneously will have such memberships declared void.
Clause 8 states that no person shall be registered as a member of more than one political party at the same time.
Clause 9 provides that where it is established that a person holds membership in multiple political parties simultaneously, the dual membership will be invalidated, and the individual will cease to be recognised as a legitimate member of any political party until the situation is regularised in line with the provisions of the Act and the constitution of the concerned party.
Clause 10 further stipulates that any person who knowingly registers or maintains membership in more than one political party commits an offence, punishable upon conviction by a fine of N10 million, imprisonment for two years, or both.
The amendment is aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s electoral framework and promoting discipline within the country’s political party system.
