The moderate faction was re-elected Monday at the Guru Nanak Sikh temple in Surrey, British Columbia.

The executive, led by current president Balwant Singh Gill, won by more than 2,000 votes.

On Sunday, about 20,000 Sikhs waited in line for up to two hours to cast their ballots. But unlike past elections, there were no violent clashes.




The temple has been deeply divided between fundamentalists who support the traditional custom of sitting on mats on the floor to eat, and moderates who want the option of sitting at tables and chairs.

A strong presence by Surrey RCMP ensured the voting went smoothly.

Police were on hand to enforce an injunction that prevented people from loitering or gathering at the polling stations unless they were there to vote.

The Guru Nanak temple is the second-largest Sikh temple in North America.