Guinea votes on new constitution to move from military to civilian rule

"Guinea is holding a long-awaited referendum on a new constitution that could allow coup leader Mamady Doumbouya to run for president and would transition the African nation from military to civilian rule. Polls opened and will close later on Sunday for the 6.7 million eligible voters to cast a yes or no vote on a new constitution that would lengthen the presidential term from five to seven years, renewable once, and create a Senate, one-third of whose members the president would directly appoint."

"Reporting from Conakry, Al Jazeera's Ahmed Idris said the government has deployed security officers with a government statement outlining that more than 40,000 security personnel have been deployed to provide security for this election. People are expecting that the referendum will result in the approval of the draft constitution that some people call impressive and progressive, Idris said. However, people who are opposed to this referendum are saying it will legitimise the current military rulership to participate in the election."

Guinea's 6.7 million eligible voters are voting in a constitutional referendum that could enable coup leader Mamady Doumbouya to run for president and shift the country from military to civilian rule. The draft constitution would lengthen the presidential term from five to seven years, allow one renewal, and create a Senate with one-third of members appointed directly by the president. Political campaigning was banned in Conakry on Friday and Saturday, and more than 40,000 security personnel have been deployed at polling stations. Supporters expect approval of the draft as progressive, while opponents warn it would legitimize current military rulers and entrench their power. Critics view the vote within a regional pattern of coups since 2023.

Read at www.aljazeera.com