Voters in Guinea-Bissau have approved a new constitution that significantly expands presidential powers ahead of elections scheduled for December. Provisional results indicate that approximately 70% of participants supported the changes in the referendum held on Sunday, with reported turnout exceeding 55%, involving an estimated 544,060 voters.

The constitutional amendment marks the first significant revision since reforms in the early 1990s, which ended the country's one-party socialist system. Key provisions in the new constitution include a reduction in the number of seats in the National People's Assembly from 102 to 65 and a consolidation of electoral constituencies from 29 to 12. Additionally, presidential candidates will now be required to have resided continuously within Guinea-Bissau for at least five years prior to the election, a clause that is widely interpreted as targeting diaspora politicians who have garnered substantial support.

The changes come against a backdrop of political instability that has persisted since Guinea-Bissau’s independence from Portugal in 1974. The country has experienced at least 10 coup attempts over the decades, with approximately half succeeding. The most recent upheaval followed disputed presidential elections last November, during which both leading candidates claimed victory and accused each other of electoral fraud. This impasse prompted military intervention, resulting in the establishment of a transitional ruling council headed by General Horta Inta-A Na Man, a former military chief of general staff.

General Na Man expressed optimism about the referendum’s outcome, stating the goal is to enable whoever wins the upcoming elections to complete their term without interference. Nelson Moreira, second vice-president of the transitional council, described the previous constitution, enacted in 1993, as a frequent source of political instability in the country.

However, the constitutional changes have faced strong opposition, particularly from the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC). The party, which was disqualified from fielding a presidential candidate in last year’s election, urged its supporters to boycott the referendum, labeling it a "democratic farce." PAIGC leader Domingos Simões Pereira condemned the process as a continuation of the military coup initiated in November, asserting that the referendum further undermines democratic principles.

As Guinea-Bissau prepares for the December elections, the new constitutional framework is expected to reshape the political landscape. Supporters argue it could bring stability by consolidating authority and reducing fragmentation, while opponents warn it may entrench military influence and limit political competition, especially for candidates connected to the diaspora. The coming months will be critical in determining whether the reforms lead to lasting governance improvements or deepen existing divisions.