Tue Sep 23 20:54:26 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the provided text:
**Guinea Poised for Presidential Election After Constitution Vote**
**Conakry, Guinea** – Guinea is moving closer to a planned presidential election in December after voters overwhelmingly approved a new constitution in a referendum held on Sunday. According to preliminary results, the new constitution garnered 90.6% of the vote, with only 9.4% opposing it.
The high approval raises concerns of a potential power grab as the new constitution lacks a clause that would bar current transitional leader Mamady Doumbouya from running for the upcoming presidential election. Doumbouya seized power in a 2021 coup, and previously adopted charter barred members of the transitional government from seeking office.
While an overall turnout figure hasn’t been released, election officials say over 4.8 million of more than 6.6 million registered voters participated, resulting in a 70% turnout.
The government, however, claims the referendum paves the way for a return to civilian rule. Opposition parties, whose activities are currently suspended, boycotted the vote, alleging it was designed to legitimize Doumbouya’s leadership. The vote has occurred amidst reports of political opponents disappearing and media outlets being arbitrarily suspended. The government has denied involvement in any disappearances, and is yet to announce whether or not he will contest the presidential election.
The vote and Doumbouya’s potential candidacy add another layer of complexity to the political landscape of the country, which is home to the world’s largest bauxite reserves and has experienced political instability in recent years.
First Piper 