DODOMA, Aug. 12 -- THREE more political parties collected presidential nomination forms from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Dodoma yesterday, bringing the total to nine.

Notably, women are playing an increasingly prominent role, with one party fielding an all-female presidential aspirant.

The latest contenders to entre the race are from the African Democratic Alliance Party (ADA-TADEA), the Union for Multiparty Democracy (UMD) and the Tanzania Labour Party (TLP).

First to arrive at INEC headquarters was ADA-TADEAs presidential aspirant Georges Busungu, accompanied by his running mate Ali Makame Issa.

Supporters waving blue, yellow, black and white flags welcomed the pair as they received their nomination form ...