YANGON, April 2, 2008 (AFP) - Myanmar's military government plans to bring a new constitution to a referendum next month, ahead of multiparty elections slated for 2010.

The document has not been released to the public, but leaked copies show that the charter would give the military a dominant role in politics while barring democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi from elections.

Following are the main points of the new charter:

The new constitution will take effect once a parliament convenes following elections in 2010.

Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi would be blocked from running for president by a clause that bars candidates married to foreigners. She was married to Briton Michael Aris, who died in 1999.

Another clause requires the president to be 'well-acquainted' with military affairs.

Parliament will have two chambers, and one quarter of the seats in each would be reserved for serving officers appointed by the commander-in-chief.

Top democracy activists who have served prison terms for opposing the regime would be barred from running because of their criminal records.

Candidates and parties are barred from receiving support from foreign governments or religious groups.

Changing the constitution requires approval from 75 percent of MPs, making it difficult for civilian lawmakers to pass amendments without military support.

Six of Myanmar's more than 130 ethnic minority groups would receive 'self-administrative' regions in border areas where ethnic rebels have battled the government for decades.

The commander-in-chief can take over the government during a state of emergency, which can be declared to fight insurgencies but also to prevent 'disintegration of national solidarity.'

Myanmar will have a market economy, and will not nationalise businesses.

The new city of Naypyidaw, in central Myanmar, officially becomes the capital. The president administers the capital territory directly.