Bigamy prohibition bars marriage during a living spouse's lifetime, with higher penalties for concealing prior marriage by law. Marrying again during the lifetime of a living husband or wife is criminalised as bigamy, punishable by imprisonment and fine, subject to exceptions where the earlier marriage has been declared void by a competent court or where the former spouse has been continually absent and unheard of for seven years provided the contracting party had informed the new spouse of the true facts. Concealment of the prior marriage when contracting the subsequent marriage constitutes an aggravated offence attracting a higher maximum sentence and fine.