Guinea-Bissau approves new constitution that expands presidential powers

Guinea-Bissau has approved a new constitution in a referendum that expands presidential powers and alters electoral rules ahead of the scheduled December presidential election. The reforms allow the president to appoint and dismiss the prime minister and cabinet, create or abolish ministries, and dissolve parliament in the event of a grave political crisis.

The result, with 70% of voters in favour, gives the military government backing to reshape Guinea-Bissau's political system. However, the main opposition party boycotted the vote, alleging that the process lacked adequate political and institutional safeguards. The new constitution will also cut the size of parliament, reduce the number of electoral constituencies, and require presidential candidates to have lived in Guinea-Bissau for the preceding five years.

Brief written by urgent.news from Ghanaian Times's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.