Guinea’s partial referendum results show strong support for new constitution

ISTANBUL

Guineans showed overwhelming support for a new constitution, with 90.6% voting in favor in the constitutional referendum, according to partial results.

Nearly 6.77 million voters were registered for the West African country’s constitutional referendum on Sunday, with 91.4% turnout recorded at 19,454 of 23,662 polling stations and over 4.8 million ballots cast, Djenabou Toure Camara, head of the General Directorate of Elections, told reporters late Monday.

The new constitution would extend the presidential term from five to seven years, permit one reelection, establish a senate with one-third of its members appointed by the president, and create a special court for trying top officials.

It also grants immunity to former presidents and, for the first time, allows independent candidates to run, provisions that have fueled speculation about transitional President Mamadi Doumbouya’s political ambitions.

The process has faced criticism, with restrictions on political activity and a boycott by major opposition parties, including the Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea (UFDG) and the Rally of the Guinean People (RPG).

Doumbouya’s National Council of the Rally for Development (CNRD) ousted longtime President Alpha Conde on Sept. 5, 2021.

Guinea is expected to hold its first presidential election since the coup in December.