INVERCLYDE should know the decision of its 62,000-plus referendum voters at around 3am on the morning after Thursday’s ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ independence poll. A small army of more than 250 council staff will be working around the clock to deliver the district’s result as the entire nation waits on tenterhooks for the overall outcome.

Tens of thousans of ballot papers have been printed and checked in anticipation of a record turnout.

Meanwhile, counting officer John Mundell says that the council and police have contingency plans amid what he termed as ‘tensions’ in the run-up to the crucial vote.

He told the Tele: “In the worst case scenario the police are in the area at all times and we will keep communication channels open for any problems.

“We’re not anticipating any problems but we are prepared.” Mr Mundell added: “I would also like to reinforce the message to people to leave plenty of time to vote to avoid any possibility of disappointment on polling day.” Depute counting officer Elaine Paterson said everything is prepared for the council’s well-oiled election operation to kick into top gear.

She said: “In terms of ballot papers we have 120 per cent of what we need, which is in accordance with direction from the chief counting officer.

“This is just for contingency in case someone picks up a ballot book and maybe discovers that there’s something wrong with that ballot book, and that there is always going to be sufficient for anyone who wants to vote.” Five counting teams of 12 people each — reduced from the usual six teams because of the anticipated large media pool — will compile the Yes and No totals on the night and into the early hours.

Staff at various polling places, ballot box collectors, security personnel and count supervisors swell the number of people involved in the operation to just beyond 250.

But despite the race between the two camps now being too close to call, Mr Mundell is not expecting there to be a local recount.

He said: “Obviously we have checks and balances and our staff have been trained to a very high degree, as are our supervisors who are involved in the count.

“We are not anticipating a recount but again we have contingency plans in place if we do have to undertake a recount.” Ms Paterson added: “We also have polling place inspectors who who will be on hand if any particular place finds itself having to cope with any rush of voters and we have contingency staff for which we can send out.” Mr Mundell said that he and his staff were anticipating an ‘80 per cent-plus’ turnout during the hours of polling between 7am and 10pm on Thursday.

Around 14,000 postal ballots have been sent out and around 11,000 have been returned thus far.

Voters are reminded that all postal votes must be returned before 10pm on Thursday.

Inverclyde’s final result will be declared just minutes after it has been relayed to the chief counting officer in Edinburgh.

Ms Paterson said: “We would hope if there are no specific problems that we should have our result by three o’clock on Friday morning.”