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Labour by-election win predicted Labour by-election win predicted
(20 minutes later)
Counting is under way in the Glasgow North East Westminster by-election, amid predictions of a Labour victory.Counting is under way in the Glasgow North East Westminster by-election, amid predictions of a Labour victory.
The contest was sparked after former Commons Speaker Michael Martin stood down over the MPs' expenses scandal.The contest was sparked after former Commons Speaker Michael Martin stood down over the MPs' expenses scandal.
SNP deputy leader Nicola Sturgeon said she expected Labour candidate Willie Bain to hold the seat comfortably.SNP deputy leader Nicola Sturgeon said she expected Labour candidate Willie Bain to hold the seat comfortably.
Voter turnout has been confirmed as 33.2%. It has also emerged that police are investigating two alleged incidents of voting fraud in the contest.Voter turnout has been confirmed as 33.2%. It has also emerged that police are investigating two alleged incidents of voting fraud in the contest.
Turnout is the lowest of any Westminster by-election in Scotland.Turnout is the lowest of any Westminster by-election in Scotland.
Labour has been the main political force in the area for the last 74 years, with Mr Martin - now Lord Martin - holding the seat in the 2005 General Election with a 10,134 vote majority.Labour has been the main political force in the area for the last 74 years, with Mr Martin - now Lord Martin - holding the seat in the 2005 General Election with a 10,134 vote majority.
The constituency neighbours the Glasgow East seat - which the Nationalists snatched from Labour last year in a stunning by-election victory.The constituency neighbours the Glasgow East seat - which the Nationalists snatched from Labour last year in a stunning by-election victory.
Nicola Sturgeon, the SNP's deputy leader, conceded that her party seemed to have failed to repeat that victory.Nicola Sturgeon, the SNP's deputy leader, conceded that her party seemed to have failed to repeat that victory.
Brian TaylorPolitical editor More gossip from inside the counting hall. Brian TaylorPolitical editor Big question for the SNP is why the seat is so different from Glasgow East, which they won in the summer of 2008.
The first boxes to be counted are from the more deprived, northern part of the constituency. Party strategists say the big difference is that, in east, they were able to corral aspirational voters and persuade them things could and should be better.
Looks like Labour is wining comfortably, probably taking more than 50% of the vote. Faced with the hopelessness witnessed in Glasgow North East, that was a much tougher task.
Read Brian Taylor's blogRead Brian Taylor's blog
She said: "I'm not predicting an SNP victory, I think Labour will hold the seat comfortably.She said: "I'm not predicting an SNP victory, I think Labour will hold the seat comfortably.
"This was very difficult territory for the SNP. In Glasgow North East the SNP don't have the same political base.""This was very difficult territory for the SNP. In Glasgow North East the SNP don't have the same political base."
Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy said it was possible his party could pick up more than half of all votes cast.Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy said it was possible his party could pick up more than half of all votes cast.
"Things have gone well in terms of the Labour campaign," he said."Things have gone well in terms of the Labour campaign," he said.
"Gordon Brown visited the constituency, he didn't visit Glasgow East, there's a real appreciation across Glasgow about the way Gordon Brown has handled this recession.""Gordon Brown visited the constituency, he didn't visit Glasgow East, there's a real appreciation across Glasgow about the way Gordon Brown has handled this recession."
'No tradition''No tradition'
Prof John Curtice, of Strathclyde University, also told the BBC he expected Labour to win "fairly comfortably".Prof John Curtice, of Strathclyde University, also told the BBC he expected Labour to win "fairly comfortably".
Scottish Conservative deputy leader Murdo Fraser told the BBC this was a seat where his party was often on the brink of losing its deposit.Scottish Conservative deputy leader Murdo Fraser told the BBC this was a seat where his party was often on the brink of losing its deposit.
"There's no tradition of people voting Tory here in a Westminster election," he said."There's no tradition of people voting Tory here in a Westminster election," he said.
But he praised Tory candidate Ruth Davidson for fighting a "very energetic" campaign.But he praised Tory candidate Ruth Davidson for fighting a "very energetic" campaign.
Liberal Democrat Westminster leader Alistair Carmichael, said: "We've always found it more difficult, particularly in the west central belt of Scotland.Liberal Democrat Westminster leader Alistair Carmichael, said: "We've always found it more difficult, particularly in the west central belt of Scotland.
"Not least because we're in a different political landscape here, and there is another obvious repository for protest votes in Scotland and that's the SNP.""Not least because we're in a different political landscape here, and there is another obvious repository for protest votes in Scotland and that's the SNP."
'Alleged personation''Alleged personation'
Three ballot papers have been taken away by officers from Strathclyde Police.Three ballot papers have been taken away by officers from Strathclyde Police.
Council chiefs said the investigation involved two ballots cast at a polling station in the Dennistoun area and another cast at another polling station in the same area.Council chiefs said the investigation involved two ballots cast at a polling station in the Dennistoun area and another cast at another polling station in the same area.
A council spokesman said: "We had two incidents at polling stations where voters turned up and when they identified themselves they were told their names had already been scored off the list - somebody had been given a vote in their name."A council spokesman said: "We had two incidents at polling stations where voters turned up and when they identified themselves they were told their names had already been scored off the list - somebody had been given a vote in their name."
"We checked our processes to ensure it wasn't a mistake, it wasn't as far as we can see, so we called in the police."We checked our processes to ensure it wasn't a mistake, it wasn't as far as we can see, so we called in the police.
"Police are still investigating alleged personation.""Police are still investigating alleged personation."
There are a total of 62,475 eligible voters in Glasgow North East, which saw a voter turnout of 45.8% in 2005.There are a total of 62,475 eligible voters in Glasgow North East, which saw a voter turnout of 45.8% in 2005.
A total of 13 candidates are standing.A total of 13 candidates are standing.