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The Conservative party will release the rules for the contest to replace Stephen Harper within the month, but there are already signs it will be a fractious affair.

The committee convened to draw up the rules for the race will meet Friday at Toronto’s Albany Club to hammer out the date of the vote, the nomination deadline, spending limits, the entrance fee and the appeals process.

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But sources within the party’s national council say the membership of the leadership executive organizing committee (LEOC) is stacked with supporters of John Walsh, the party president.

One source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said a Dec. 5 meeting offered council members no input on the makeup of the committee, which will act as referee in the contest.

“John controls the LEOC,” said the Conservative activist, who also said a motion to postpone a decision on committee membership was defeated.

The minutes of the meeting say a “fulsome discussion ensued,” with three council members voting for the postponement and 14 voting against.