VOTERS were going to the polls in Glasgow East today in a by-election the main parties fear is too close to call.

VOTERS were going to the polls in Glasgow East today in a by-election the main parties fear is too close to call.

Despite claiming they would have 400 activists in the constituency today, there was no sign of Labour personnel at some polling stations early this morning, while the SNP claimed to be at all of them.

When the Evening Times checked polling stations at Garrowhill Primary School, Sandaig Primary School, another school in Baillieston, and Eastbank Academy after they opened at 7am, there was no Labour presence.

George Ryan, Labour's original choice to fight the seat, turned up at Eastbank just before 8.30am, followed soon after by Shettleston MSP Frank McAveety.

The lack of party loyalists at the polling stations meant red faces for Labour, which has a tough fight to defend its 13,507 majority.

Among the early voters was the SNP candidate John Mason, the only one of the four main party candidates to live in the constituency.

He cast his vote at the Barlanark Community Centre at 7.40am.

He was the fifth person to cast his vote there, and the first three all said they were voting SNP.

A middle-aged man said: "I voted SNP - they are doing things right just now."

Mr Mason, said: "If we win this seat, it's an earthquake.

"It's a beautiful day, I think there is a feel-good factor, and this is the opportunity to send a message to Gordon Brown."

Labour candidate Margaret Curran also encouraged people to use their vote.

She said: "I believe I have run a positive campaign that has chimed with the real concerns of East Enders.

"Today, however, every voter faces a clear choice between a fighter and a message boy for Alex Salmond."

Losing would be disastrous for the Labour party in the wake of recent by-election setbacks at Henley and Crewe and Nantwich and would raise question over the future of Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

Although bookmakers have made Labour the narrow favourite, most observers predict a close finish and SNP leader Alex Salmond claims its "neck and neck".

The candidates from the other main parties are Davena Rankin (Conservative) and Ian Robertson (LibDem).

Ms Rankin claimed "more people" were turning to the Tories while Mr Robertson insisted the election wasn't a two-horse race.

The other candidates are Eileen Duke (Green), Frances Curran (SSP), Tricia McLeish (Solidarity), Chris Creighton (Independent) and Hamish Howitt (Freedom 4 Choice).

Polling stations stay open until 10pm.