The municipality included the area around the Elsfjorden and the valley leading up to the fjord.

During the 1960s, there were many municipal mergers across Norway due to the work of the Schei Committee.

At the time of the municipal dissolution, it was part of the Hemnes prestegjeld and the Indre Helgeland prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Sør-Hålogaland.

Here is a list of people who held this position:[12] The municipal council (Herredsstyre) of Elsfjord was made up of 13 representatives that were elected to four year terms.

The tables below show the current and historical composition of the council by political party.