The office of Namiestnik was introduced in Poland by the Constitution of Congress Poland (1815), in its Article 3 (On the Namiestnik and Council of State). The namiestnik was chosen by the Tsar from among the noble citizens of the Russian Empire or the Kingdom of Poland, excluding naturalized citizens.
The position of Namiestnik originated in Poland with the Constitution of Congress Poland (1815), specified in Article 3 (On the Namiestnik and Council of State). The namiestnik was chosen by the Tsar from among the noble Polish citizens or Russian Empire nobles, excluding those who had become naturalized.