More than sixty-thousand Sikhs in the western Canadian city of Vancouver are voting, amid tight security, for a new executive for the oldest Sikh temple in the area.

The poll will decide whether control of the temple goes to liberal or orthodox Sikh factions.

The split between the two sides over religious doctrine has led to violent clashes and the murder of a prominent editor of a Sikh newspaper.

Police in the area say the atmosphere is tense and have appealed for calm.