The governing Liberals have voted themselves a majority on the House committee that will review the Elections Act.

The Opposition says they’re appalled by the move, not to mention the way it was rolled out.

The Tories had served notice they would propose a committee with equal party numbers to ensure accountability. But a half-hour before the House was to open for the afternoon, the Liberals announced their own committee comprising five of the nine members.

PC House Leader Barry Petten says that will eliminate any independence with the group.

The NDP’s Jim Dinn, who initially called the alternative committee “window-dressing,” later elaborated for reporters. He says he’d go so far as to say it’s a Liberal partisan committee with fries on the side.

Justice Minister John Hogan is leading the government’s modernizing of the Elections Act. He defended the makeup of the committee, saying it reflects the Liberal majority in the House of Assembly, adding there will be independence through challenges before the courts.