BISSAU — Voters in Guinea-Bissau participated in a referendum on August 31, 2026, to approve a new constitution that expands presidential powers. The National Electoral Commission of Guinea-Bissau announced that 70% of voters supported the constitutional changes in the referendum, while 30% voted against the reforms.

The approved text grants the president the power to appoint and dismiss the prime minister and cabinet members. It also gives the executive authority to create or abolish ministries and to chair the Council of Ministers. In the event of a grave political crisis, the president may dissolve parliament under the new rules.

Electoral structures face reduction under the charter. The number of parliamentary seats falls from 102 to 65. The number of electoral constituencies drops from 29 to 12. These changes accompany a presidential election scheduled for December 6, 2026.

New eligibility requirements apply to candidates seeking the presidency. Applicants must have lived permanently in Guinea-Bissau for the five years preceding an election. They must also pay a deposit of 50 million West African CFA francs.

Political parties sponsoring presidential candidates must have at least 5,000 members, including at least 300 in each region. The constitution establishes a Constitutional Court of Guinea-Bissau to oversee legal matters.

Idrissa Djalo, executive secretary of the National Electoral Commission of Guinea-Bissau, reported that voter turnout exceeded 55 percent. The commission recorded an estimated 544,060 participants out of nearly 915,000 registered voters. Djalo said turnout exceeded 55 percent and the poll took place without any incidents that would call into question the credibility of the vote.

Transitional President Horta Inta-A Na Man stated that the goal was to ensure governability for the next elected official. He said the aim was to allow whoever wins the elections to see out their mandate without hindrance. The transitional charter bars the transitional president and prime minister from running in the upcoming elections.

Domingos Simões Pereira, leader of the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC), rejected the validity of the vote. His party called for a boycott of the referendum. Pereira said that what would happen on August 30 was the continuation of the coup d’état carried out on November 26.

Muniro Conté, spokesperson for the PAIGC, argued that the text undermines democratic institutions. Conté said the constitution significantly weakens the prime minister and the government, subordinates the National People’s Assembly of Guinea-Bissau and political parties, and devalues — or even ignores — the popular will expressed at the polls, carrying all the attendant risks of political and social division and tension.

Nelson Moreira, second vice-president of the National Transitional Council of Guinea-Bissau, cited historical precedent for the changes. Moreira said the outgoing constitution, which came into effect in 1993, had often been cited as the cause of instability in Guinea. Fernando Dias was an opposition candidate in the disputed 2025 presidential election, which preceded the military intervention.

Why It Matters

The adoption of this constitution alters the balance of power in a nation that has experienced repeated political instability since gaining independence. By consolidating authority in the presidency and reducing the size of the legislature, the framework aims to resolve conflicts between executive branches that proponents identify as a primary source of governance failure. The changes occur ahead of general elections scheduled for December 6, 2026, setting the stage for a contest under new rules that bar current transitional leaders from participating.

The referendum results reflect a divided electorate, with opposition from major political parties such as the PAIGC. Critics argue that the process validates a military coup and marginalizes the legislative branch, while supporters claim it provides necessary clarity for national leadership. The outcome will determine the operational structure of the government as it addresses poverty affecting more than half of the 2.2 million residents.

Timeline

Guinea-Bissau gained independence from Portugal in 1974. Fernando Dias was an opposition candidate in the disputed 2025 presidential election on November 23, 2025. Umaro Sissoco Embaló was the president of Guinea-Bissau before the military coup in November 2025.

The military seized power in Guinea-Bissau on November 26, 2025. General Horta Inta-A Na Man was installed as transitional president following the military coup on November 26, 2025. The National Transitional Council of Guinea-Bissau approved the proposed constitutional text on January 13, 2026.

What's New

Later reporting shows perspectives from citizens and officials regarding the impact of the new charter. Halimatou Traore stated, "The successive crises the country has gone through have had a very negative impact on my earnings. If everything goes well, Guinea-Bissau will set off on new paths." General Tomás Djassi explained, "In a community, there is only one leader. No community or village can have two leaders. We revised the constitution to avoid constant conflict between the president of the republic and the prime minister. We clarified the law and helped the public understand that the president of the republic is the national symbol. It is the president who stands for election in presidential polls."

Additional context confirms that Guinea-Bissau has approved a new constitution expanding presidential powers and changing electoral rules ahead of a presidential election scheduled for December. Muniro Conté warned that the constitution significantly weakens the prime minister and the government, subordinates the National People’s Assembly of Guinea-Bissau and political parties, and devalues — or even ignores — the popular will expressed at the polls, carrying all the attendant risks of political and social division and tension. Nelson Moreira noted that the outgoing constitution, which came into effect in 1993, had often been cited as the cause of instability in Guinea. Idrissa Djalo reported that turnout exceeded 55 percent and the poll took place without any incidents that would call into question the credibility of the vote. Domingos Simões Pereira asserted that what would happen on August 30 was the continuation of the coup d’état carried out on November 26. Horta Inta-A Na Man added that the aim was to allow whoever wins the elections to see out their mandate without hindrance.