Guinea-Bissau backs stronger presidential powers as referendum result is confirmed

Guinea-Bissau's electoral commission has confirmed that voters approved a new constitution that significantly expands presidential powers. Provisional results showed about 70% support, with turnout reported at more than 55%, after voting in the referendum held on Sunday. The changes were put forward by the transitional authorities that took power after last November's disputed election.

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The result is politically significant because it alters the balance of power in a country that has long struggled with instability between presidents, prime ministers and parliament. The military authorities have argued that the previous semi-presidential system contributed to repeated disputes and deadlock. Opponents, including the main opposition party, boycotted the vote and said the process lacked adequate political and institutional safeguards.

The referendum also comes against the backdrop of Guinea-Bissau's repeated coups and attempted coups since independence from Portugal in 1974. The country has experienced at least nine attempted and successful coups, and the United Nations has described it as a narco-state because of its use by drug traffickers. That history has made any change to the constitutional order especially sensitive, particularly when it is being driven by a transitional military administration.

Earlier reporting on this story — 1 Sep 2026 · 21:30

Guinea-Bissau's electoral commission says voters have approved a new constitution that would significantly expand presidential powers. The commission said 70% of votes cast were in favour of the changes, with turnout reported at almost 60%. The referendum was held ahead of a December election intended to return the country to civilian rule.

Under the new rules, the president would be able to appoint and dismiss the prime minister and cabinet, create and abolish ministries, and dissolve parliament under certain conditions. The changes would also reduce the number of parliamentary seats from 102 to 65 and cut the number of electoral constituencies from 29 to 12. The military government that proposed the referendum says the reforms are meant to stabilise state institutions before the vote at the end of the year.

The result has been rejected by the main opposition party, PAIGC, and by civil society groups, which argue that the changes threaten the transition back to democracy. Critics say the reforms would weaken the country's power-sharing system by concentrating authority in the presidency. The electoral commission's turnout figure also contrasts with reports from international news agencies that polling stations were largely empty during voting.

The referendum matters because it comes less than a year after the military seized power in a coup in November last year. It also comes at a sensitive point in the transition, with both the presidency and parliamentary seats due to be contested in December. Supporters of the draft say clearer executive authority could help prevent institutional deadlock, while opponents see it as a move that could shape the political system in favour of the current rulers.

Guinea-Bissau has long experienced political instability and repeated disputes over the balance of power between the presidency, parliament and the prime minister. The current system gives the prime minister a central role in day-to-day government, but the approved text would shift that balance decisively toward the head of state. The military authorities have argued that the constitutional overhaul is needed to prepare for a more orderly return to civilian rule.

What remains unclear is how the boycott call from the opposition will affect acceptance of the result and how quickly the transitional authorities will move to implement the new constitution. It is also not yet clear whether the changes will alter the dynamics of the December elections or the wider transition process. The next stage will be the formal handling of the result and any political response from opponents of the reform.

Earlier reporting on this story — 31 Aug 2026 · 00:30

Ballot counting has begun in Guinea-Bissau after voters took part in a referendum on a new constitution that would shift the country from a parliamentary system to a presidential one. The vote was held on Sunday and is being treated as a key test of the transitional authorities less than 10 months after the military seized power. The result could reshape how executive authority is shared ahead of elections scheduled for December 6.

Idrissa Djalo, executive secretary of the National Electoral Commission, said turnout had exceeded 55 percent and that the poll took place without incidents that would call its credibility into question. The referendum asked voters whether they agreed with the entry into force of the new constitution approved by the National Transitional Council. Under the proposed text, the head of state would be able to appoint and dismiss the prime minister and members of government, and dissolve parliament.

Transitional President General Horta Inta-A Na Man said the aim was to allow whoever wins the elections to complete a mandate without hindrance. He is barred from standing in elections under the transitional charter. The military government says the constitutional change is intended to stabilise institutions before the planned return to civilian rule, while critics have argued that the reform would concentrate too much power in the presidency.

The referendum matters because Guinea-Bissau has long been marked by political instability and repeated disputes over the balance of power between state institutions. The current system gives the prime minister a central role drawn from the parliamentary majority, a model that supporters of the reform say has contributed to uncomfortable power-sharing. The proposed constitution would replace that arrangement with a stronger presidency, changing the framework for both the transition and future civilian governments.

The vote also follows a turbulent political period. The military takeover in November 2025 came while presidential and legislative elections were still under way, one day before the electoral commission was due to announce the presidential results. In those elections, both candidates declared victory and accused each other of electoral interference.

The referendum is therefore being watched not only as a constitutional question, but also as a measure of whether the transitional process can produce a more stable political order. What remains unclear is the final result of the count and how the outcome will affect the December elections. It is also not yet clear whether opposition calls for a boycott will influence the legitimacy or acceptance of the result.

The next developments will show whether the draft constitution is approved and, if so, how quickly the transition authorities move to implement the new system.

Earlier reporting on this story — 29 Aug 2026 · 04:32

Voters in Guinea-Bissau are deciding whether to approve a new constitution that would significantly strengthen the presidency and reshape the country's electoral system. The referendum is taking place on August 30 and is being watched closely because it could alter how power is shared between the head of state, parliament and the prime minister. It comes nine months after the military seized power and installed General Horta Inta-A Na Man as transitional president.

The draft constitution was approved by the National Transitional Council on January 13, 2026, after the November 26, 2025 coup that interrupted the electoral process. The military takeover happened while presidential and legislative elections were still under way, one day before the electoral commission was due to announce the presidential results. The transition charter created the National Transitional Council, which has held legislative powers during the interim period.

The referendum will determine whether that draft enters into force and becomes the framework for a return to elected government. Supporters of the reform say it would provide clearer lines of authority and help address years of political instability and disputes between state institutions. Critics argue that it would concentrate too much power in the presidency and have questioned how the draft was produced.

The African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde, one of the country's main opposition parties, has rejected the referendum and called for a boycott. The vote also comes just over three months before presidential and legislative elections scheduled for December 6. The referendum matters because Guinea-Bissau has long struggled with repeated coups and political crises since independence from Portugal in 1974.

The country currently operates a semi-presidential system in which executive authority is shared between the president and prime minister. The proposed constitution would substantially change that balance by giving the president significantly greater executive authority and reducing the role of the prime minister. That makes the outcome important not only for the transition now under way, but also for the shape of future civilian rule.

The political stakes are high because the referendum is part of a broader effort to reset institutions after the military takeover. Horta Inta-A Na Man, who was army chief of staff before becoming transitional president, now sits at the centre of that process. The National Transitional Council has already played a key role by approving the draft text and holding legislative powers during the transition.

The referendum therefore serves as both a test of the transitional authorities and a measure of public support for the proposed new constitutional order. What remains unclear is how much turnout the referendum will attract and whether the boycott call will affect the result. It is also not yet clear how the vote will influence the December elections if the draft is approved or rejected.

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360LiveNews | 02 Sep 2026 11:32 LONDON