Abstract: An electric lock comprising a solenoid which has a permanent magnet for attracting a plunger and an electromagnetic coil which is positioned adjacent the permanent magnet so as to control the magnetic flux of the permanent magnet. A cam member which has a cam surface formed at one end thereof engages an engaging pin when a bolt operating member is rotated so as to lock the electric lock so that an engaging rod is forced to move in the direction opposite to the direction in which an engaging bolt is biased, the other end of the engaging rod being connected to the plunger of the solenoid. A positive voltage application unit responds to an unlocking signal so as to temporarily cause a current to flow through the electromagnetic coil in such a way that the flux produced by the electromagnetic coil cancels the magnetic flux produced by the permanent magnet.