Guinea-Bissau holds referendum on presidential powers amid opposition boycott

Guinea-Bissau held a referendum on Sunday on whether to amend the constitution to give the president new powers, as the country prepares to transition from military to democratic rule. Many polling stations had low turnout after the opposition urged voters to boycott. The junta, which seized power in November following a disputed election, has approved a constitutional amendment to switch from a parliamentary to a presidential system, allowing the president to appoint and dismiss the prime minister and dissolve parliament. The new constitution would also cut parliamentary seats from 102 to 65. The junta says the change aims to stabilize institutions before presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for December 6. Opposition groups call the referendum a way for the junta leader to cement power and a source of political instability. Polls closed at 1700 GMT, with provisional results expected from Tuesday. Guinea-Bissau, one of the world's poorest countries, has experienced five coups since 1974.