The people of Guinea have reportedly thrown their weight behind a highly controversial constitution change. According to provisional results announced on Friday by the country’s electoral body, the people are in support of a bill that could allow President Alpha Conde govern for 12 more years, after a 10 year run as the leader of the West African state.
Speaking to reporters, the president of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Guinea, Amadou Salifou Kebe, revealed that 91.59 per cent of ballots were in favour of changing the constitution in last Sunday’s referendum, while 8.41 were against it. Kebe also revealed that turnout was at 61 per cent but reminded the public that these were just provisional figures as the Constitutional Court still had eight days to make an official confirmation.
The proposal to change the constitution has been met with controversy from the start. Spurring mass demonstrations that have leftover 30 people dead, it has been described as a ploy by President Conde to remain in power indefinitely.
A major reform, the draft charter would limit presidential terms to two, but extend the length of the term to six years. However, it is important to note that the reform wipes the slate clean for President Conde who was elected into power in 2010 and is currently in the last leg of his final term. With the new constitution, the presidential term counter is reset to zero, potentially enabling Conde to govern for another 12 years.
The vote was originally set for March 1 but was postponed until March 22 as a result of heavy international criticism from the opposition and foreign allies including France and the United States.
According to African News, the day of the vote was marred by violence, with scores of polling stations ransacked across the country. The country’s opposition parties who boycotted the referendum, as well as the parliamentary elections which held the same day, also alleged that dozens were killed.
Eyes are on Guinea as the country prepares for its presidential elections expected to take place by the end of this year.
