The Independent reports (09 Apr 2010) that thousands of British military personnel based in Afghanistan have been disenfranchised in the general election because they have not been registered and there remain massive problems in getting their postal votes back in time. The paper says that only around 65 per cent of the 9,500-strong UK force in the country are registered to vote and many of these will have to be brought back from frontline bases in Helmand which are under daily Taliban fire.

• Discussion on unofficial 'Army Rumour Service' website:Thousands of Afghanistan troops face missing election vote