SRINAGAR, Sept. 19 -- In a significant move, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has deregistered 12 political parties based in Jammu & Kashmir.

Among the delisted parties is one that contested the 2002 Assembly elections on the slogan of trifurcation of Jammu & Kashmir. Another party removed from the registry is headed by a former minister from the PDP-Congress coalition, who was arrested in connection with a Hawala case. Also included in the list is a party formed by a former Member Parliament who was backed by the Awami Action Committee (AAC) in 1977 state polls when he contested on Janata Party ticket.

The decision was made public on Friday through an official order, a copy of which is in possession of KNO.

These parties have be...