CBC News

Police in Surrey, B.C., will monitor a pivotal vote Sunday as another political battle looms over control of the huge Guru Nanak Sikh temple.

In 1997, police in riot gear were called to the temple when it became the site of a bloody clash between traditional and moderate Sikhs over whether there should be furniture in the dining hall.

Traditional Sikhs abide by a religious edict that states believers must sit on the ground and share meals. Moderate Sikhs disagree and have had control of the temple's board of directors for over a decade.

The campaign manager for the Sikh Youth slate, Nirbhai Pannu, says he and his fellow traditionalists have come up with a compromise. They, too, would allow tables and chairs in the dining hall — but only for those, like many elderly members, who are physically unable to sit on mats on the floor.

"You will sit there, you will eat there. [Tables] will be available for you," Pannu said.

"[But], if somebody want to sit on the mats, they will be allowed."

32,000 registered to vote

Harjinder Singh Cheema is leading a slate of 18 candidates representing the incumbent temple board of directors against rival presidential candidate Bikramjit Singh Sandhar, who is leading the Sikh Youth slate.

RCMP Sgt. Roger Morrow said extra officers will be on duty for the election on Sunday, for which about 32,000 people are registered to vote.

"There is an injunction that has been issued from the Supreme Court of British Columbia," said Morrow, "My understanding is that there's a two-block cordon around the voting area to ensure that there's no undue influence of those coming to vote."

Balloting takes place at Princess Margaret Secondary School on 72nd Avenue, starting at 8 a.m. PT.

Temple officials expect results to be available late Sunday night.