70% back stronger presidency in Guinea-Bissau referendum
Key Takeaways
- 70% of valid votes backed the new constitution.
- The president gains greater powers over the prime minister and cabinet.
- Parliament will shrink from 102 to 65 seats.
Seventy per cent of valid ballots supported constitutional changes giving the president greater authority while reducing parliament from 102 to 65 seats.
Guinea-Bissau voters have approved a new constitution that expands presidential powers and reduces the size of parliament, according to referendum results announced by the National Electoral Commission.
Commission President Carmen Isaura Lobo announced the results in Bissau on Tuesday, saying 70 per cent of valid ballots supported the constitutional changes, while 30 per cent voted against them.
"The total number of valid votes is 544,070. The 'yes' vote received 383,117 votes, corresponding to 70 per cent. The 'no' vote received 160,904 votes, corresponding to 30 per cent. With this result, the 'yes' vote obtained the majority," Lobo announced.
According to the commission, 572,714 of Guinea-Bissau's 914,428 registered voters participated in Sunday's referendum.
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Under the new constitution, the president will have greater control over the government, including the authority to appoint and dismiss the prime minister and cabinet.
The changes will also reduce the National People's Assembly from 102 seats to 65.
Opposition parties and civil society groups had called for voters to boycott the referendum. They accused the military-led authorities of seeking to concentrate power in the presidency and questioned the legitimacy of the vote.
The referendum comes after the military takeover on November 26, 2025, a day before provisional results from disputed presidential and legislative elections were expected to be announced.
General elections are scheduled for December 6 as part of the country's transition back to civilian rule.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
