Guinea-Bissau is set to hold a constitutional referendum on August 30 on proposed reforms that would significantly expand presidential powers and alter the country’s electoral system ahead of presidential and legislative elections scheduled for December.
The West African nation has been under military rule since a coup in November, which occurred a day before the electoral commission was due to announce the results of a presidential election.
Under the current constitution, parliament appoints the prime minister, who is responsible for forming the cabinet.
However, the proposed constitution would grant the president the authority to appoint and dismiss the prime minister and cabinet members.
READ ALSO: VP Shettima Graces Guinea-Conakry’s Presidential Inauguration
The reforms would also empower the president to create or abolish government ministries, chair the Council of Ministers, dissolve parliament in the event of a grave political crisis and dismiss the government under specified circumstances.
In addition, the proposed changes would reduce the number of parliamentary seats from 102 to 65 and cut the number of electoral constituencies from 29 to 12.
A professor at Lusofona University in Guinea-Bissau, Manuel Nobre de Barros, said the reduction in constituencies could weaken political parties with strong local support.
According to him, the proposed reforms would significantly alter the balance of power between the presidency and parliament.
“The changes give the president absolute power under the new constitution, with no political opposition,” de Barros said.
The proposed constitution would also require presidential candidates to have resided continuously in Guinea-Bissau for the five years preceding an election.
The current constitution does not impose such a residency requirement but stipulates that presidential candidates must be citizens by birth, at least 35 years old and in full possession of their civil and political rights.
Reuters
