Guineans have overwhelmingly approved a new constitution in a referendum, with 89.4 percent of voters backing the charter, officials said Tuesday.
The vote, held four years after the military seized power, paves the way for elections while allowing junta leader General Mamady Doumbouya to run.
Ibrahima Kalil Conde, minister of territorial administration, announced the provisional results, noting a voter turnout of 86.4 percent across the country’s polling stations.
Final results will be confirmed by the Supreme Court on an unspecified date, leaving the timeline for elections still uncertain.
Opposition leaders, many in exile, had urged a boycott, denouncing the vote as a predetermined power grab by the military government.
Despite warnings, Guineans flocked to the polls, with many telling AFP they supported a new constitution to move the country forward.
Some 6.7 million of Guinea’s 14.5 million residents were eligible to cast ballots, reflecting a strong engagement despite calls to abstain.
The “yes” campaign dominated the streets with rallies, marching bands, and posters of 40-year-old Doumbouya, while the “no” vote remained largely online.
Authorities deployed 45,000 security personnel, 1,000 vehicles, and combat helicopters to ensure order during the referendum, citing public safety concerns.
The new constitution replaces the transitional charter, which had barred junta members from presidential candidacy, now clearing the path for Doumbouya.
Guineans remain divided, with some hoping for civilian-led governance and others backing Doumbouya’s leadership despite restrictions on freedoms since 2022.
The junta has banned demonstrations, suspended opposition parties, and restricted media, causing fear among critics and civil society organisations.
General Amara Camara, secretary-general of the presidency, described the vote as “the profound expression of the aspirations of the people of Guinea.”
He added that doubts over the referendum’s organisation were addressed, and promised upcoming presidential and legislative elections, though no dates have been set.