Guinea-Bissau referendum approves new constitution that expands president's powers

Voters in Guinea-Bissau have approved a new constitution that significantly expands presidential powers ahead of general elections later this year.

The referendum was organised by the military government that seized power in the West African nation last November following a disputed election.

Voters have agreed to sweeping reforms allowing the president to appoint and dismiss the ​prime minister and cabinet, create or abolish ministries and dissolve parliament in ⁠the event of a grave political crisis.

The main opposition party boycotted the vote, saying the process lacked adequate political and institutional safeguards and threatened the country's transition back to democracy.

Guinea-Bissau, one of the poorest countries in the world, has experienced at least nine attempted and successful coups since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974.

The UN has dubbed the country a "narco-state" - its coastline has many uninhabited islands, making it ideal for drug traffickers.

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Provisional results announced by the country's electoral commission showed that 70% of voters backed the changes in Sunday's referendum, while 30% voted against them. Turnout was reported at nearly 60%.