Partial results from Guinea’s referendum show overwhelming support for President Mamady Doumbouya to run for office if he chooses, with 90.6% of voters backing the constitutional changes and 9.4% rejecting them.
The tally, based on 91% of ballots counted, indicated more than 4.8 million votes were cast out of 6.6 million registered voters, suggesting turnout exceeded 70%.
The vote comes three years after Doumbouya seized power in a 2021 coup, despite a charter then barring members of the transitional government from seeking office.
While the referendum is officially described as a step toward elections scheduled for December, critics say it paves the way for Doumbouya to consolidate power.
Opposition leaders, including Cellou Dalein Diallo and ousted former president Alpha Condé, boycotted the process, with their parties currently suspended.
Rights groups have accused the government of suppressing dissent, disappearing political opponents, and restricting media freedoms—allegations officials deny but have promised to investigate.
Doumbouya, a 40-year-old former French Legionnaire, cast his ballot in Conakry alongside his wife but has not announced whether he will contest the upcoming presidential election.
