Guinea approves new constitution in referendum ahead of December vote

Guineans overwhelmingly approved a new constitution in a referendum held on September 21, the country’s election authorities and Supreme Court confirmed, clearing the way for presidential and legislative elections scheduled for December 28. Official tallies show roughly 89 to 90 percent of votes in favor, and the court on Friday rejected an opposition request to annul the result.

Election authorities provided differing snapshots of the outcome. The head of the General Directorate of Elections, Djenabou Touré, said partial counts based on about 91 percent of ballots showed 90.6 percent backing the new text and more than 4.8 million votes cast from some 6.6 million registered voters, implying turnout above 70 percent. Subsequent official results put approval at about 89.4 percent and reported turnout of more than 86 percent. The vote took place nationwide under the deployment of roughly 45,000 security personnel, officials said.

The new constitution makes several significant changes. It removes a postcoup prohibition on members of the transitional government running for office, extends presidential terms from five to seven years with the possibility of renewal, and creates a...