Guinea-Bissau went to the polls on Sunday in a referendum on a new constitution that would significantly strengthen the powers of the president ahead of general elections planned for December.
Footage shows voters queuing at polling stations, election officials working and ballots being cast.
The proposed constitution would replace the current semi-presidential system with a stronger presidency. The president would gain greater authority over the prime minister and government, including the power to appoint and dismiss the prime minister and dissolve parliament. The National People’s Assembly would also be cut from 102 seats to 65.
One of the voters, Jamil Yala, backed the constitutional changes and called for mass participation.
“The new generation is at the right age to assume the leadership of the country,” he said, adding that the people should support the referendum in order to ‘regain our constitution’ and ensure it belongs to all citizens.
The referendum has been fiercely contested by the opposition PAIGC, which urged voters to stay away from the ballot box, arguing that the proposed changes would concentrate too much power in the presidency and weaken parliament and the prime minister.
The vote comes nine months after the military seized power following disputed presidential and legislative elections.
Source: Viory
