The Office of the Electoral Commission (OEC) was established as a distinct organization in 2005 following passage of The Electoral Amendment Act 2005. Prior to that the administration of the Electoral Act was split between the Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration (until 2003 called the Justice Department) and the Legislative Department.

Since the inception of what used to be called the Electoral Office set up under the Electoral Act 1963, the function of ‘Returning Services’ had always remained under the administration of the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly.

The ‘Registration Services’ function, on the other hand, was administered by the Justice Department until 1990, when universal suffrage supplanted the Matai suffrage as a result of a Plebiscite (national referendum) conducted that year. From 1990 ‘Registration Services’ moved under the charge of the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly; and in 2000 it went back to the Justice Department.

In January 31^st 2019, the Office of the Electoral Commission became an autonomous body under the Electoral Commission Act 2019.

The OEC in its administrative role has a responsibility to the community to ensure that qualified voters are registered and aware of their rights and responsibilities under the Act.

The Office of the Electoral Commission is funded through the Annual Budget Estimates.

The responsible Minister is the Minister of Police & Corrections Services. The relationship between the OEC and the Minister of Justice is governed under the Electoral Commission Act 2019 and the Electoral Act 2019.

The Commissioner, who is also the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Office, is appointed under the terms of Section 8 of the Electoral Commission Act 2019. The management staff group at present consists of:

• Registration (Assistant Electoral Commissioner)
• Electoral Operations (Assistant Electoral Commissioner)
• Legal & Policy (Assistant Electoral Commissioner)
• Corporate Services (Manager)
• Information  Communication Technology (Manager)