Queensland's Electoral Commissioner, Walter van der Merwe, has resigned.
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It is understood Mr van der Merwe sent Governor Paul de Jersey a letter on Wednesday, advising him of his decision.
It comes two days after Attorney-General Yvette D'Ath announced she would immediately suspend Mr van der Merwe, pending a show cause notice, following a "serious allegation" which could amount to misbehaviour.
Ms D'Ath said the allegations were serious but did not suggest inappropriate interference in the outcome of elections.
The ECQ's assistant electoral commissioner Dermot Tiernan was appointed acting electoral commissioner.
Ms D'Ath said a recruitment process to replace Mr van der Merwe would begin shortly.
"In the meantime, the allegations against Mr van der Merwe will be investigated to finalise the issues raised," she said.
Mr van der Merwe was appointed in 2014 on a seven-year contract and was due to continue to be paid while on suspension.
In the letter, Mr van der Merwe said he had been intending to stand down from official duties soon due to ill health, despite having several years left to run on his contract.
But he said he had brought his resignation forward in light of the allegations against him.
"As a consequence of the stress of dealing with these matters and the effect that they are having upon my family, and are likely to have upon the officers of the Commission, I have come to the conclusion that an earlier resignation than one I was originally planning is the best course of conduct," Mr van der Merwe wrote.
- with AAP
