General Information
On July 6, 2026, Transitional President Horta Inta-a announced that Guinea-Bissau would hold a referendum on August 30, 2026, to determine whether a new Constitution approved by the National Transitional Council will enter into force. If approved, the changes to the constitution will expand executive power, amongst other measures, which would have implications for the currently scheduled December elections.
Portuguese (original):
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"Concorda com a entrada em vigor da nova Constituição da República aprovada pelo Conselho Nacional de Transição?"
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Os eleitores podem escolher 'Sim' ou 'Não'.
English (informal translation):
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"Do you agree with the entry into force of the new Constitution of the Republic approved by the National Transition Council?"
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Voters can choose ‘Yes’ or ‘No’
Government Structure:
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Chief of State: transitional President, General Horta INTA-A (since 27 November 2025)
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Head of Government: Prime Minister Ilídio Vieira TÉ (since 29 November 2025)
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Assembly: unicameral Transitional National Council (Conselho Nacional de Transiçãoe) with 66-seats, inclusive of the Speaker.
Electoral System:
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Under the country’s pre-referendum Constitution:
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The President is elected through majority vote to a renewable 5-year term. The President may not run for a third consecutive term and must wait 5 years after the second term before running for a third.
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The Prime Minister is appointed by the President with the consultation of the People’s National Assembly.
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All 102 members of the People’s National Assembly are elected through list proportional representation to a 4-year term.
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Following the November 2025 General Elections, Guinea-Bissau experienced a coup.
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General Horta Inta-a is serving as an interim president during the transitional period.
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The 66-member Transitional National Council is serving as the national legislature. It consists of 10 individuals appointed by the transitional president; 15 representatives from high military command; 20 representatives of political parties; 11 civil society representatives; 9 representatives from different regions across the country, and one speaker.
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Last Elections:
Guinea-Bissau held general elections for President and the People’s National Assembly on November 23, 2025. A coup occurred on November 26, 2025, before provisional results for the presidential race were finalized. A one-year, interim government assumed power by November 27.
Key Deadlines:
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Candidate filing deadline: Not Applicable
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Voter registration deadline: Unclear
Country Context:
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Population: 2,249,515 (2025 est.)
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Registered Voters: 966,152 (2025 est.)
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V-Dem Electoral Democracy Index Score: 0.252 (2025)
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V-Dem Regimes of the World Classification: Closed Autocracy (2025)
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Human Development Index (HDI) Position: 0.514, Low, Rank 174 (2023)
Gender Data:
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Female Population: 1,137,222 (2025 est.)
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CEDAW Status: Signed 17 Jul 1980, Ratified 23 Aug 1985
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Gender Quota: There is a 36% gender quota target for the Bissau-Guinean National Assembly, though women are not currently represented in transitional government.
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Female Candidates in this election: Not Applicable
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Number of Female Legislators (pre-election): 0 out of 66 (0%) in the Transitional National Council.
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Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) Categorization: Composite Score Not Available (Missing Data)
Disability Data:
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CRPD Status: Signed 24 Sep 2013, Ratified 24 Sep 2014
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Projected population with a disability: 359,923 (2025 est.)