In Nigeria, on March 18, 2026, the House of Representatives introduced a new amendment to the Electoral Act that proposes a fine of N10 million or up to two years in prison for individuals who belong to more than one political party at the same time, and the move has stirred reactions across political circles.
The proposal was brought forward during plenary as part of changes to the 2026 Electoral Act earlier signed by Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The amendment seeks to prevent multiple party memberships by stating that any individual found registered in more than one political party would lose recognition in all parties until their status is corrected. It also introduces penalties for those who knowingly maintain such memberships.
The bill was sponsored by Julius Ihonvbere and passed through all legislative stages in the House within a short time.
The proposal has divided lawmakers and drawn reactions from political observers and opposition figures. While some members of the House supported the move, arguing that belonging to more than one party at the same time is improper, others raised concerns that the amendment may conflict with the constitutional right to freedom of association.
Concerns were also raised by lawmakers like Abubakar Fulata, who pointed to Section 40 of the Constitution, which allows citizens to freely associate. He argued that restricting party membership could go against this right. During the session, the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, maintained that individuals should align with one political party that reflects their beliefs, rather than registering across multiple parties.
Outside the National Assembly, opposition figures and analysts have also criticized the proposal. Adewole Adebayo described the amendment as unconstitutional and warned that it could affect democratic freedoms.
He argued that while candidates are sponsored by one party during elections, the law does not clearly forbid membership in multiple political groups.
Public affairs commentators have also linked the proposal to concerns about possible defections within the ruling party, suggesting that it may be aimed at limiting political movement as the 2027 elections approach. Some analysts believe the move reflects fears of shifting loyalties due to current economic and security challenges in the country.
The development has added to ongoing discussions about electoral reforms and political rights, especially as preparations continue for the next general elections.
Many Nigerians and stakeholders are now watching closely to see how the proposal will progress and whether it will stand legal scrutiny if eventually passed into law.