Guinea-Bissau Voters Back New Constitution Expanding Presidential Powers

Guinea-Bissau has voted “yes” in a referendum to adopt a new constitution that significantly expands the powers of the president and reshapes the country’s political system.

Provisional results announced by the National Electoral Commission (CNE) on Tuesday, September 1st, 2026, show that about 70 percent of voters supported the new text, while 30 per cent voted “no”. Voter turnout was close to 60 percent of registered voters.

The referendum was held on Sunday, August 30th, 2026, less than ten months after a military coup and just months ahead of a presidential election scheduled for December 6th, 2026, which is meant to restore full civilian rule.

Under the new constitution:

• The president will gain the power to appoint and dismiss the prime minister and government ministers directly, rather than the prime minister automatically coming from the parliamentary majority.
• The president will also have the authority to dissolve parliament.
• The size of the National Assembly will be reduced from 102 seats to 65, and the number of electoral constituencies will be cut.
• New requirements for presidential candidates will be introduced, though details vary by report.

The changes move Guinea-Bissau from a more parliamentary-style system toward a stronger presidential system. Supporters, including the military-led National Transitional Council (CNT), argue this will bring greater stability and clearer executive authority after years of political crises.

The referendum comes after the military seized power in November 2025, dissolving institutions and installing the CNT to oversee a transition. The junta has presented the constitutional reform as necessary to stabilise future civilian governments and reduce chronic political instability.

Critics, however, have warned that concentrating power in the presidency could weaken checks and balances and undermine democratic governance. Some opposition figures and civil society groups boycotted or campaigned for a “no” vote, arguing the process was rushed and driven by the military authorities.

The CNE reported that more than 544,000 people voted, representing almost 60 percent of registered voters. Final results are expected to be confirmed by the Supreme Court, which had not received any legal challenges as of early September.

With the “yes” camp victorious, the new constitution is set to enter into force pending formal validation. The focus now shifts to the December 6 presidential election, which will be the first major test of the new constitutional framework and a key step in the country’s return to civilian rule.

For Guinea-Bissau, the referendum marks a turning point in its political trajectory. Whether the stronger presidency delivers stability or deepens tensions will depend on how power is exercised under the new rules and how inclusive and credible the upcoming elections prove to be.

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