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Ministers are facing demands to ensure that British troops fighting in Afghanistan or based abroad will be able to vote in the general election.
Thousands of military personnel claim that strict voting regulations and the fact that they often move home leaves them and their families effectively disenfranchised.
Campaigners point out that this summer British forces have risked and lost their lives trying to bring democracy to Afghanistan.
They hope to raise the matter with Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth at a Downing Street reception for service families tonight, and will meet Justice Minister Michael Wills on Monday.
Julie McCarthy, chief executive of the Army Families Federation, estimated that around 70 per cent of the 250,000 to 270,000 UK military personnel and partners failed to register to vote.
A military policeman has been killed in Helmand, the 98th British death in the Afghan war this year, the Ministry of Defence said.
The soldier was shot dead during a gun battle in Babaji, Helmand Province, yesterday.
