The draft constitution, if approved, would extend Mr. Rajoelina's transitional government until elections are held next year. It also would lower the minimum age for presidential candidates from 40 to 35 years. Mr. Rajoelina, who is 36, has said he would not be a candidate for president.

The draft charter would require presidential candidates to have resided in the country for at least six months prior to the elections. This would block Mr. Ravalomanana, who has been in exile since the coup.

The African Union and Southern Africa Development Community suspended Madagascar following the coup, and western donors suspended non-humanitarian aid.

International negotiators tried to mediate several power-sharing deals, but these collapsed because of disputes over how to share the top posts. This led Mr. Rajoelina to say he would proceed with the transition without foreign assistance.