Guinea-Bissau Voters Approve Constitution Expanding Presidential Powers

According to the BBC, voters in Guinea-Bissau have approved a new constitution that expands presidential powers ahead of general elections later this year. Provisional results from the electoral commission showed 70% backed the changes in Sunday's referendum, while 30% voted against them, with turnout reported at nearly 60%. 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. They also reduce the number of parliamentary seats from 102 to 65, cut electoral constituencies from 29 to 12, and add new eligibility rules for presidential candidates, including a requirement to have lived continuously in Guinea-Bissau for the five years before an election. The military government that seized power last November organized the referendum after a disputed election. The main opposition party, the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC), boycotted the vote and warned that the changes could concentrate too much power in the presidency. Presidential and parliamentary elections are scheduled for December.