Guinea-Bissau voted Sunday on a proposed new constitution that would significantly strengthen presidential powers and shrink parliament, in a referendum seen as a test of the military government's bid to reshape the political system before elections scheduled for December.
The referendum proposes replacing the current semi-presidential system with a stronger presidential model, giving the head of state greater authority over the executive.
Under the draft constitution, the president would lead the Council of Ministers and gain the power to appoint and dismiss the prime minister. The number of lawmakers would also be reduced from 102 to 65, while electoral constituencies would be cut from 29 to 12.
Government supporters say the changes would curb recurring disputes between the presidency, government and parliament that have contributed to political instability.
General Tomás Djassi, head of the armed forces, defended the reforms, saying the constitution was designed to clarify the hierarchy of power and prevent repeated conflict between the president and prime minister.
