Guinea-Bissau votes on referendum to expand presidential powers

Voters in military-ruled Guinea-Bissau cast ballots on Sunday in a constitutional referendum that could significantly expand presidential powers, a move the opposition has boycotted amid concerns about democratic backsliding. The vote, which took place under heavy security, is a key step in a transition process that the military junta says will lead to a general election in December to restore civilian rule. Polling stations opened at 0700 GMT, though voting began slowly in some areas of the capital, Bissau, due to heavy morning rain. Security forces, including the national guard and police, were deployed at strategic locations.