Issued in Abuja: 10:00 am – Tuesday, 31st March 2026
The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room (Situation Room) expresses grave concern over the recent amendment to the Electoral Act 2026 passed by the House of Representatives, which seeks to prohibit dual political party membership and impose severe penalties for its violation.
While clarity in party membership is not inherently objectionable, the context, timing, and framing of this amendment raise serious concerns about its true intent. The provision appears less about strengthening electoral integrity and more about constraining political participation—particularly of opposition actors—thereby narrowing democratic space ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
Over the past months, Situation Room, alongside citizens and Civil Society Organisations, has actively engaged the National Assembly through peaceful protests held on 28 January, 9 February, 16 February, and 17 February 2026. These engagements consistently prioritised critical reforms, including the mandatory electronic transmission of election results as a cornerstone of transparency and public trust.
It is therefore deeply troubling that, instead of addressing these widely supported demands, the National Assembly has prioritised amendments of questionable value. Notably, it has retained contentious provisions such as the proviso to Section 60(3)—which Nigerians overwhelmingly rejected—while introducing new measures that risk being weaponised for political advantage.
The proposed criminalisation of dual party membership, particularly with severe penalties, is susceptible to abuse in Nigeria’s fluid political environment, where party defections, mergers, and alliances are common features of democratic practice. Without clear safeguards, such a provision could be selectively enforced to intimidate, disqualify, or weaken opposition participation.
This development reinforces growing concerns about the responsiveness of the legislature to citizen input and raises questions about the overall direction of electoral reform. Rather than consolidating public confidence, these actions risk deepening distrust in the electoral framework.
Furthermore, Situation Room notes that several provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 remain operationally unclear or impracticable, particularly those affecting party administration and election management. This creates a real risk of legal uncertainty, inconsistent enforcement, and avoidable electoral disputes as the country approaches the 2027 elections.
At a time when public trust in democratic institutions is fragile, electoral reform must be guided by transparency, inclusiveness, and fairness—not measures that may be perceived as politically expedient or exclusionary.
Situation Room therefore calls on the National Assembly to:
- Reconsider the proposed amendment on dual party membership, ensuring that any reform does not restrict political participation or target opposition actors;
- Prioritise critical reforms that enhance electoral transparency, particularly the full legal backing for electronic transmission of results;
- Review and harmonise provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 to eliminate ambiguities and ensure practical implementation; and
- Engage meaningfully with citizens and stakeholders to rebuild trust and ensure that electoral reforms reflect the collective interest of Nigerians.
Situation Room also urges the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant institutions to take proactive steps within their mandates to safeguard electoral integrity, especially where legislative provisions create uncertainty or risk abuse.
Nigeria cannot afford to approach the 2027 General Elections under a cloud of distrust, shrinking democratic space, and unresolved legal ambiguities. Electoral reform must serve the people—not political interests. The time to act in the public interest is now.
SIGNED:
Y.Z Yau
Convener, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room
Mma Odi
Co-Convener, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room
Celestine Odo
Co-Convener, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room
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