The declaration of candidacy and petition signatures submitted to the proper filing officer by a candidate for nomination as a minor party candidate shall be counted toward the requirements for qualification as an independent candidate for the same office in the same election if the candidate’s party files for, but does not obtain status as, a qualified political party in that election cycle. To qualify as an independent candidate, the candidate must meet all requirements for an independent candidate in Section 1-8-45 N.M. Stat. Ann. and submit the required number of petition signatures for an independent candidate as prescribed in Section 1-8-51 N.M. Stat. Ann.. No candidate may circulate petitions for candidacy for more than one political party in an election cycle.