Dhaka, April 26 -- An appeal has been filed with the Election Commission (EC) seeking cancellation of BNP candidate Madhabi Marma's nomination for the reserved women's seats in parliament, while NCP leader Monira Sharmin has moved to restore her candidacy.

Both applications were submitted on Sunday, challenging decisions of the returning officer. Hearings on the pleas are scheduled for Monday and Tuesday.

The returning officer has declared valid the nomination papers of 49 out of 50 candidates for the reserved seats.

Of them, 36 are from the BNP-led alliance, 12 from the Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance, and one from an independent coalition.

Monira, joint convenor of the National Citizen Party (NCP) from the Jamaat-led alliance, had her ...