Guinea-Bissau votes on expanding presidential powers in contested referendum

Voters in Guinea-Bissau went to the polls on Sunday to decide on a new constitution that would significantly expand presidential powers, a vote that comes ahead of December's general election meant to restore democratic rule after last year's military takeover.

The military government, which seized power in November following a disputed election in which both former President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and opposition candidate Fernando Dias claimed victory, has framed the constitutional changes as a way to end chronic political instability.

The proposed charter, drafted by the self-styled National Transitional Council, would reduce the size of parliament from 102 to 65 seats and clarify the president's authority over the prime minister. Military leaders argue that a smaller legislature would enable more focused debate and that a clear hierarchy between the president and prime minister would prevent the power struggles that have plagued the country.

"In a community, there is only one leader," said Gen. Tomás Djassi, head of the armed forces. "We revised the constitution to avoid constant conflict between the president of the republic and the prime minister."

However, opposition parties have called for a boycott, describing the referendum as a power grab by the military leadership. Muniro Conté, spokesperson for the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde, said the constitution "significantly weakens the Prime Minister and the government, subordinates the National People's Assembly and political parties, and devalues—or even ignores the popular will expressed at the polls."

Analysts have also questioned the legitimacy of the process. "The fundamental question is: Who drafted this Constitution, and on whose behalf?" asked Paulino Quadé, a Guinean political analyst.

Public sentiment appears divided. Bacar Camará, a high school teacher in the capital Bissau, said he would not vote, arguing the transitional government should focus on reconciliation. Another resident, Carolina Djeme, said she would vote 'no' because she does not understand the new charter well enough to support it.

Nearly 915,000 voters are registered for the referendum. The vote comes amid a broader democratic crisis in West Africa, with several countries now under military rule. Guinea-Bissau, a nation of about 2.2 million people, has experienced multiple coups since independence from Portugal in 1973 and remains a key transit point for drug trafficking between Latin America and Europe.