Falsely applying for a postal or proxy vote will become a crime under new laws intended to combat electoral fraud, the government is expected to announce.
Elections Minister Harriet Harman will outline measures to combat voting fraud ahead of local elections next May.
The plans include introducing ballot papers with security marks and barcodes to enable quick security checks.
In 2004 the electoral commissioner said postal voting was "wide open to fraud" following a vote scandal in Birmingham.
Six Labour councillors in the city were forced to step down after Sir Richard Mawrey found evidence of postal ballot abuse that he said would disgrace a "banana republic".
The Electoral Administration Bill proposes making an offence of supplying false information, or failing to provide information, to an electoral registration officer.
Prohibitions on exerting "undue influence" over a voter will also be strengthened under Ms Harman's plans.
The minister is expected to praise Sir Richard, saying his judgement in the Birmingham case had exposed many of the problems which were being addressed now.
"Everyone in every community in any part of the country is entitled to their vote and to know that their vote is counted as they cast it," she will say.
"Electoral fraud is extremely rare. But fraud in any area, in any election, national or local, is a problem because it undermines confidence."
Safeguarding democracy
The Conservatives accused the government of "undermining the integrity" of the electoral system.
Shadow constitutional affairs secretary, Oliver Heald, said: "Ministers have not gone far enough to safeguard our democracy."
He called for a system of individual registration similar to Northern Ireland to be introduced, and for all-postal voting to be ruled out.
Ms Harman will outline the plans at the launch of new guidance by the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Electoral Commission on fraud prevention and detection.
(BBC)
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