UPDATE 1-Madagascar postpones referendum on constitution

Tue Jun 29, 2010 9:28am GMT

[-] Text [+]

* Constitution yet to be completed

* National conference yet to be held to discuss draft

(Adds details, background)

By Alain Iloniaina

ANTANANARIVO, June 29 (Reuters) - Madagascar has postponed indefinitely a referendum on a new constitution because the charter has not yet been completed, the head of the election commission said.

The referendum is seen as a first concrete step towards holding elections aimed at ending a leadership battle that has paralysed the Indian Ocean island since Andry Rajoelina toppled former leader Marc Ravalomanana with the help of dissident troops in March last year.

"For now, the constitution has not yet been finalised, so we can no longer organise the referendum on Aug. 12," election commission chief Hery Rakotomalala said late on Monday.

"Officially, we can say that it has been indefinitely postponed," Rakotomalala told Reuters.

The new charter has not been completed as a national conference to draft the document itself has not taken place. Continued...

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