Provincial-level government formerly consisted of 19 elected provincial assemblies and
their executives. In 1995 the National Parliament instituted reforms that replaced this system with one in which the members of Parliament (MPs) who were elected to represent the provinces usually became the provincial governors while retaining their seats in the National Parliament. MPs from the “open” districts constitute the

membership of the provincial assemblies along with presidents of local-level councils. This has meant that national legislators effectively control executive government at local levels. Although the parliamentarians gained control over considerable funds for their electorates, few provinces have seen appreciable benefits, and in most districts the coverage and quality of government services declined markedly after 1995.