An image forming apparatus has a latent image forming portion that includes a latent image supporting body, and a supporting member disposed at both ends of the latent image supporting body, a charging unit that includes a discharge electrode supplying electric charge to the latent image supporting body, and a control electrode controlling a potential of the latent image supporting body, a cleaning member that makes one end of the control electrode located at a stand-by position and is reciprocally moved so as to clean the control electrode, and a movement portion that moves the charging unit to a first position when charging the latent image supporting body, and moves the charging unit to a second position which is further spaced from the latent image forming portion than the first position when the control electrode is cleaned by the cleaning member.