Election Commission today declared valid the nominations of 49 aspirants for the parliamentary seats reserved for women.

If no one withdraws the nomination by February 16, last date of withdrawal of candidature, then they would be declared winners without any opposition as they are the only candidates from their respective areas, Returning Officer Abul Kasem told The Daily Star.

The EC made the announcement following its scrutiny on the issue.

According to the EC 43 Awami League candidates submitted nomination papers over 50 reserved seats of the 11th parliament. Four aspirants of Jatiya Party and one from Workers' Party of Bangladesh also submitted their nomination papers.

The reserved seats for women are allocated to political parties in proportion with their number of seats in parliament. Accordingly, 43 seats are allocated to Awami League, four to Jatiya Party, one for BNP and Jatiya Oikyafront, Workers' Party and independent candidates each.