Only 40% of the some 7.5 million people who moved home in the last 12 months may be registered to vote, according to recent research by the Electoral Commission.

This compares to 93% of those who have lived in the same place for 16 years or more.

Similarly, only 63% of those who rent privately are registered to vote, compared to 94% of those who own their own homes.

As part of its national public awareness campaign ahead of the General Election, the commission is seeking to encourage as many people as possible to register at their current address.

Commission spokesman Warren Seddon said: "We know that people who have recently moved house or who rent from a private landlord are considerably less likely to be registered to vote, so it's vital that they hear our message.

"Many people don't realise they aren't registered or how easy it is to do, so if you haven't already registered at your new address do it now."

Martin Lewis, founder and editor of MoneySavingExpert.com which is working with the commission on the campaign, added: "Forget buying a house, a car, a mobile phone - the biggest consumer decision we all make in our lives is choosing a government.

"And if you don't use your right to vote - or at worst spoil your ballot as a statement - then you've no right to whinge when it goes wrong."

Previous research by the commission has also suggested that 44% of those not registered to vote mistakenly believe that they are.

Anyone who wants to vote must register by April 20 and can do so online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote