Yes, the number of shares actually registered doesn't change, yes there is a legal transfer, and yes the number of voting entitlements doesn't change. This argument has nothing to do with any of those things and it has nothing to do with whether anyone makes a profit or loss. It is about the number of shares effectively issued on the main market which does increase as I carefully explained. Please re-read comment #16873153. I would have no problem with the illustration you gave of someone buying the shares and writing a call option, but that is not the same as shorting. If you see it as the same, why not dispense with the buying and selling which are a wash both ways and just write a call option.
SGH Price at posting:
70.0¢ Sentiment: Buy Disclosure: Held