Guinea-Bissau’s electoral authorities announced on September 1 that voters had approved constitutional changes expanding presidential powers and reducing the size of parliament. The National Electoral Commission reported support of 70%, with 30% voting against, according to the Associated Press.
The referendum took place on August 30, ahead of general elections planned for December. Its changes weakened the prime minister’s role within the country’s semipresidential system and reduced legislative seats from 102 to 65. The ruling military government argued that the existing division of authority between president and prime minister had contributed to political instability.
Opposition parties called for a boycott, saying the proposed changes would concentrate more power in the presidency. AP placed the referendum in the context of the military takeover following a disputed election in November 2025 and the broader succession of coups in West Africa since 2020. The reported result concerned approval of constitutional changes; it did not mean that the planned December general elections had already occurred or that civilian democratic government had already been restored.