Guinea-Bissau Votes in a Referendum to Grant Expanded Presidential Powers Ahead of Election
The draft would give the president greater control over government, cut parliament to 65 seats and create a Constitutional Court, officials said.
- On Sunday, Guinea-Bissau residents voted in a referendum on a proposed constitution that would significantly expand presidential powers ahead of general elections scheduled for December 6.
- The military-led transition government, which seized power on November 26, 2025, initiated the constitutional reform process; the National Transitional Council approved the proposed text on January 13, 2026.
- Proposed changes reduce parliament from 102 seats to 65 and cut electoral constituencies from 29 to 12, while granting the president authority to chair the Council of Ministers and appoint the prime minister.
- Denouncing the referendum as an "absolute farce," the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde called for a boycott, citing a lack of democratic legitimacy and restricted freedoms.
- General elections scheduled for December 6 are intended to mark the end of the transitional government, though analysts question whether the military's influence over constitutional drafting truly restores civilian rule.
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FILE - Guinea-Bissau Transitional President General Horta Inta-A-Na Man, centre, and President of Senegal Bassirou Diomaye Faye walk during an official ECOWAS mission to help resolve Guinea-Bissau's political crisis in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau, on Jan. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Abubacar Queta, File)
In the capital of Bissau, the polling stations opened at 07:00 local (and GMT), noted AFP correspondents. In some neighbourhoods, the vote started slowly, noted AFP correspondents. In others, voters were slow to arrive after an intense rain at dawn, which was dissipating. Guinea-Bissau is experiencing a heavy rainy season at this time. Enhanced security Security is being strengthened this Sunday at the strategic points of the capital, with membe…
Associated Press News
Guinea-Bissau votes in a referendum to grant expanded presidential powers ahead of election
Guinea-Bissau is voting in a referendum to decide on granting new presidential powers. This comes ahead of December's general election, which aims to return the nation to democracy after last year's coup.
The people of Guinea-Bissau are called to vote on Sunday, August 30, 2026, for or against a reform of their Constitution, which would transform the country from a semi-parliamentary system to a strong presidential regime. This vote is being held while the country has been ruled by a military junta since the coup d'état last November. This referendum is a key step before the general elections scheduled for December 6, which aim to return power to…
Election of the Weekend II: Guinea-Bissau
The second election of the weekend is also, like Iceland, a referendum. The situation is considerably more grim in the extremely coup-prone state of Guinea-Bissau. Last November, they held an election (that I apparently failed to cover), but the results were never formally released, as a successful military coup took place between the election and […] The post Election of the Weekend II: Guinea-Bissau appeared first on Lawyers, Guns & Money.
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