In 1861, after announcing the abolition of serfdom, peasants acquired civil rights, among them a right to self-governmence. To facilitate such a right townships (Russian: "volost", Lithuanian: "valsčius") and elderates (Russian: "mir", Lithuanian: "seniūnija") were established. By the end of 1861 there were 1,479 elderates in 181 townships of Vilna Governorate and 1,033 elderates in 153 townships of Kovno Governorate. The elderates would elect an elder (Russian: "starosta", Lithuanian: "seniūnas") and representatives to a township council (Lithuanian: "valsčiaus sueiga"). However, these institutions had very little power and were dependent on the local nobles. The power was concentrated in the hands of governors, all of whom were appointed by the tsar.