Guinea-Bissau votes to give President far more power

Voters in Guinea-Bissau have approved a new constitution that hands the president much more control just months before elections due in December.

About 70% voted yes, 30% no, according to provisional results. Turnout was close to 60%.

The military government, in power since a coup last November, organised the vote. Under the new rules, the president can hire and fire the prime minister and cabinet, create or scrap ministries, and dissolve parliament in a serious crisis.

Parliament also shrinks from 102 seats to 65. Anyone who wants to run for president must have lived in the country for the past five years.

The main opposition party boycotted the referendum, calling it a threat to democracy. The junta says the changes will stop years of political fighting and clear the way for a return to civilian rule in December.