The Queensland electoral commissioner has quit after being suspended over allegations of serious misbehaviour.

On Monday, Walter van der Merwe was issued a show cause notice following claims his behaviour could have been in breach of the Electoral Act.

Two days later, Mr van der Merwe tendered his resignation.

Attorney-General Yvette D'Ath has confirmed she received a copy of Mr van der Merwe’s resignation on Wednesday.

“Acting electoral commissioner arrangements are already in place and a recruitment process will begin shortly,” Ms D’Ath said.

“In the meantime, the allegations against Mr van der Merwe will be investigated to finalise the issues raised.”

Ms D'Ath has not confirmed the nature of the allegations, stating only that they related to “misbehaviour” under the Electoral Act, but “do not suggest inappropriate interference in the outcome of elections”.

A review released last year of QLD’s 2016 local government elections labelled the Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ) a secretive, authoritarian organisation with a range of management, communication and technology problems.

“There was a cavalier culture in the Electoral Commission — there were broken systems and poor management — that's a recipe for disaster,” said Brisbane lord mayor Jim Soorley, who conducted the review.

“The evidence collected points to a management style and culture that is secretive, authoritarian, silo-based and non-consultative.”

Mr Soorley said the review panel never met with Mr van der Merwe on his own, as he was always accompanied by his assistant commissioner, Dermot Tiernan.

“Their interactions and behaviour has the semblance of ‘good cop, bad cop’ management style,” Mr Soorley said.

Mr Tiernan is now acting commissioner.