STORY: Polls opened on Sunday (September 21) across Guinea as residents cast their ballots in a long-awaited referendum on a new constitution, a key step in the country’s transition following the 2021 coup that brought military leader Mamady Doumbouya to power.

The new constitution, if approved, would extend presidential terms, create a senate, and potentially shape the pathway toward civilian rule in the West African nation.

Queues formed early at polling stations in Conakry as polling stations officials prepared to welcome voters. At the Samatran polling station, the president Mohamed Lamine Keita said staff were guiding voters efficiently. “The assessor here, when a person presents their card, first checks if the person should vote at this station or go elsewhere… until now, we haven’t encountered any difficult cases,” he said.

Residents expressed hope for a peaceful and transparent process. Marguerite Sagno, a voter in Conakry, told Reuters: “This vote is important for the future of the Guinean people… We are all Guineans. Let's accept to join hands to vote in peace and transparency.”

The referendum comes amid political tensions and a partial opposition boycott, with critics warning it could consolidate Doumbouya’s power despite his earlier pledge not to run for president. Nonetheless, the military-led government has framed the vote as a crucial part of Guinea’s transition, aiming to restore constitutional order after more than four years of junta rule.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: CONAKRY, GUINEA (SEPTEMBER 21, 2025) (REUTERS - Access All)

1. VARIOUS OF CONAKRY RESIDENTS QUEUING TO VOTE AT POLLING STATION

2. POLLING STATION OFFICIAL PREPARING TO WELCOME FIRST VOTERS

3. POLLING STATION OFFICIAL EXPLAINING VOTING INSTRUCTIONS TO WOMAN

4. CONAKRY RESIDENT PLACING BALLOT IN BALLOT BOX

5. POLLING STATION OFFICIAL CHECKING REGISTER

6. (SOUNDBITE) (French) CONAKRY RESIDENT, MARGUERITE SAGNO, SAYING:

"This vote is important for the future of the Guinean people. Everyone who loves the Guinean people must accept to obey the law. And when we speak of law, we speak of leadership. Who is the leader? It's all of us. Today, there are ethnic groups, but I don't count ethnicity. We are all Guineans. Let's accept to join hands to vote in peace and transparency."

7. VOTERS QUEUING

8. VOTER PUTTING ENVELOPE INTO BALLOT BOX

9. (SOUNDBITE) (French) CONAKRY RESIDENT, IBRAHIMA DRAMÉ, SAYING:

"Everyone is motivated, the enthusiasm is there, everyone is laughing, there are shouts here and there. Everyone is happy to vote. We are proud to be Guinean."

10. VARIOUS OF POLLING STATION INTERIOR

11. (SOUNDBITE) (French) PRESIDENT OF SAMATRAN POLLING STATION, MOHAMED LAMINE KEITA, SAYING:

"The assessor here, when a person presents their card, first checks if the person should vote at this station or go elsewhere. Assessor number one is here to guide people to the right place. Until now, we haven't encountered any difficult cases that have caused us problems."

12. POLLING STATION OFFICIAL CHECKING REGISTER

13. POLLING STATION OFFICIAL MONITORING THE VOTE

14. VARIOUS OF CONAKRY RESIDENTS VOTING

15. POLLING STATION OFFICIAL CHECKING REGISTER