Count begins in stock transfer vote

Bob Allan said tenants wanted to sort out their future

The deadline has passed for Glasgow's council tenants to vote on the transfer of the city's stock to a housing association.

Almost 80,000 people have been balloted on the move, and voting papers had to be returned by 1200 BST on Thursday.

The tenants have been asked to decide on a proposal to transfer ownership of their homes from the council to a not-for-profit housing association.

Tenants have received ballot papers

Supporters of the transfer say it will bring much needed investment to housing, and give tenants a greater say in the management and repair of their homes.

But opponents fear it will result in long term rent rises.

If the tenants vote for the transfer to take place, the city council will have its housing debt written off by the government.

This promise has been dismissed as a bribe by those against the transfer.

Opportunity seized

This has been the largest ballot of its kind in Scotland, and by last Friday, just over 60% of tenants had voted.

Bob Allan of the GHA said he was confident a 'yes' vote would push the transfer through.

"It far outstrips the turnout at either a Westminster election or indeed a Scottish Parliament election," he said.

"It just shows that when local people have got the opportunity to make their views known about what is important to them, they grab that opportunity."

Forecasts suggest 65% of tenants voted

However, Keith Baldeserra of the 'no' Campaign, said his group would not concede defeat.

"It has been an unfair campaign from start to finish," he said.

"The GHA with millions to spend - but we have worked hard on the streets. We think the vote will be a closer call than they expect."

BBC Scotland forecasts that out of the 72,000 tenants eligible to vote, about 50,000 have actually placed their votes - which would represent a 65% turnout.

Dr Malcolm Dickson, of Strathclyde University, told BBC Scotland: "We've seen a postal ballot which generally can have higher turnouts in these types of circumstances.

"And something in which people can see a real stake in participating in.

"In general elections the majority of people have real doubts whether there are real differences between the political parties."

The final papers have now been sent to Electoral Reform Ballot Services in London for independent counting.

The result will be announced at Glasgow City Chambers on Friday lunchtime.