Zanzibar — THREE more CCM cadres, including retired teacher and currently full-time peasant Haji Rashid Pandu, joined the Zanzibar presidential race yesterday, bringing to 13, the total number of candidates seeking to succeed outgoing President Dr Ali Mohammed Shein.

Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) Kisiwandui main offices also received the first female presidential hopeful, Ms Mwatum Mussa Sultan, who collected the nomination papers, encouraging women to come out and join the pursuit if "We really want to attain the widely touted gender equality" in decision making.

Others are Zanzibar Y outh, Culture, Arts and Sports Minister Ali Abeid Amani Karume, Mr Mbwana Y ahya Mwinyi, Mbwana Bakar Juma and former Permanent Secretary in the revolutionary government Omar Sheha Mussa.

The ruling party has opened doors for aspiring presidential candidates to pick the nomination forms for Zanzibar and union presidencies.

CCM Deputy Secretary General (Zanzibar) Dr Abdallah Juma Abdallah, speaking to reporters here last week, invited all "courageous" party members to collect the nomination papers but warned the corruption tainted individuals to remain at bay.