Guinea-Bissau votes in a referendum on granting the president expanded powers

Guinea-Bissau is voting in a referendum to decide on granting new presidential powers

Voters in Guinea-Bissau went to the polls on Sunday to vote on a proposed constitutional amendment. The changes would expand the president’s powers, including giving him the right to appoint and dismiss the prime minister.

Voters in military-ruled Guinea-Bissau, after a coup, vote on Sunday in a referendum to boost presidential powers before elections to restore civilian rule, a process mired in controversy.

The West African nation's military government wants to amend the constitution to give more powers to the president. The junta, which seized power last year, says it will hold elections in December.

The proposed constitution would give the president more power and reshape parliament and elections.