Guinea-Bissau Voters Approve New Constitution Expanding Presidential Powers
Changes include fewer seats in parliament and new rules on presidential candidates ahead of December elections
TL;DR
- 70% of voters approved a new constitution in Guinea-Bissau.
- The new constitution expands presidential powers and reduces parliamentary seats from 102 to 65.
- It also cuts electoral constituencies from 29 to 12 and introduces residency requirements for presidential candidates.
- The referendum turnout was over 55%.
- The changes are intended to bring stability to a country with a history of coup attempts.
- The leading opposition party, PAIGC, boycotted the referendum, calling it a 'democratic farce'.