Ballot counting is underway in Guinea-Bissau following a referendum to rewrite the national constitution and expand presidential powers [1].
The outcome of the vote will determine the balance of power in the country as it attempts to transition back to civilian rule. This process follows a military coup that occurred last year, leaving the nation under a military-run government.
Voting took place on Aug. 30, 2026 [2]. Officials said the counting process began on Aug. 31, 2026 [3]. The proposed changes to the constitution would reshape election rules and grant the president more authority over the state.
These constitutional adjustments serve as a precursor to the broader political calendar. The government has scheduled a general election for December 2026 [4]. That election is intended to officially restore civilian governance and end the period of military control.
The referendum is a critical step in the current administration's plan to reorganize the state's legal framework. By expanding presidential powers, the government aims to stabilize the executive branch before the December polls [4].
Observers in the capital, Bissau, are monitoring the count to ensure the transition remains on track. The military-run government said the rewrite is a necessary step for the country's future stability, though the expansion of power remains a point of contention among political factions.
“Ballot counting is underway in Guinea-Bissau following a referendum to rewrite the national constitution.”
The referendum represents a pivotal moment for Guinea-Bissau's democratic trajectory. If the expansion of presidential powers is approved, the incoming civilian government in December may operate under a more centralized executive system than previously existed. This shift could either provide the stability needed to prevent future coups or create a concentration of power that limits legislative oversight.
