Community-managed local representation
ICAlliance exists to support community-backed representatives who are prepared to serve their wards independently, responsibly and accountably. Anyone applying through ICAlliance must understand that public representation is a position of trust and not merely an opportunity to hold office.
These standards apply from the moment a person expresses interest in becoming a candidate and continue throughout the assessment, selection, nomination and public-representation process.
Applicants must provide information that is complete, accurate and truthful.
This includes personal information, IEC registration details, residential information, qualifications, employment history, community involvement, financial interests, criminal or disciplinary history and any other information requested during the assessment process.
ICAlliance may verify information supplied by an applicant. Material omissions, misleading statements or false information may result in an application being suspended or declined.
Applicants must meet all applicable legal and electoral requirements before their candidacy can be confirmed.
IEC registration, municipality, ward and voting-district information may be checked against official IEC information. Where residential information does not correspond with the relevant municipality or ward, the applicant’s eligibility to stand in that area may require further investigation.
Registration, nomination or submission of an application does not guarantee eligibility, candidate selection or formal nomination.
Applicants and candidates must act honestly, lawfully and in a manner that protects public confidence.
They must not engage in corruption, intimidation, discrimination, harassment, violence, deliberate misinformation, misuse of public resources or conduct intended to improperly influence voters or community processes.
Any actual or potential conflict of interest must be disclosed.
An ICAlliance candidate must be prepared to represent the interests of the community and remain accessible to the residents of the ward.
Candidates are expected to listen, communicate openly, participate in legitimate community-engagement processes and explain decisions that affect their communities.
Community representation must take priority over personal benefit, private interests or individual political ambition.
Applicants and candidates must engage respectfully with residents, officials, other candidates, political organisations, volunteers and members of the public.
Disagreement and robust debate are legitimate parts of democracy, but personal abuse, threats, discriminatory conduct and deliberate humiliation are inconsistent with ICAlliance standards.
Applicants must disclose information that could reasonably affect ICAlliance’s assessment of their suitability or the public’s confidence in their candidacy.
This may include criminal proceedings, findings of misconduct, insolvency, material conflicts of interest, public controversies or relationships that could compromise independent and accountable representation.
Disclosure does not automatically disqualify an applicant. ICAlliance will consider the nature, relevance and circumstances of the information.
Applicants may be required to participate in interviews, introductory discussions, workshops, verification procedures or requests for supporting documents.
Applicants must respond within reasonable timeframes and cooperate with legitimate administrative and assessment requirements.
Failure to cooperate may delay or prevent the application from proceeding.
Applicants and candidates must respect the privacy and personal information of residents, supporters, volunteers and other participants.
Contact information, membership information and internal ICAlliance material may not be misused, disclosed without authority or used for an unrelated personal or commercial purpose.
Candidates remain responsible for their own statements, campaign material and public conduct.
Information presented to voters must be accurate and must not falsely represent ICAlliance policy, approval, authority or support.
ICAlliance branding may only be used in accordance with approved guidelines and for authorised purposes.
Candidate approval is not necessarily permanent. ICAlliance may reconsider a person’s suitability if new information becomes available, circumstances materially change or these standards are breached.
Depending on the circumstances, ICAlliance may request clarification, require corrective action, suspend an application, reopen a review or withdraw its support, subject to applicable law and internal procedures.
Submitting an expression of interest, receiving an invitation, completing a profile or being nominated by a community member does not guarantee acceptance, selection, endorsement or formal IEC nomination.
A candidate is only confirmed once ICAlliance has completed the required assessment and communicated its decision through an authorised process.
By continuing with an ICAlliance candidate application, the applicant confirms that they:
Applicants who need assistance, wish to correct information or want to disclose a relevant matter should contact ICAlliance through the official contact details published on the website.
Document title: ICAlliance Candidate Standards
Version: Launch 2026 – Version 1.0
Effective date: 25 August 2026
Building a new path for independent representation and accountable local government in South Africa.