another important reform was that of local government, or "comuni", which was approved by the chamber in july 1888, in just three weeks. the new reform almost doubled the local electorate, incrementing the suffrage. but the most controversial part of the law was related to the mayors, who were previously appointed by the government, and who would now elected by the electors, in the municipalities with more than 10,000 inhabitants and in all the provincial capitals. the law also introduced the office of the prefect. the reform was approved by the senate in december 1888 and entered into force in february 1889.