The Election Commission of India (ECI) has clarified that voters whose names appeared in earlier electoral rolls but are missing from draft lists published during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) can submit Form 6 to seek inclusion in the final electoral roll.

In a communication issued on November 3 to the Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) of all states and Union Territories, the poll body addressed concerns among previously registered voters who were hesitant to submit the form because of the declaration required alongside it.

The Commission clarified that submitting Form 6 in such circumstances would not, by itself, amount to making a false declaration merely because the applicant had been enrolled as a voter previously.

It also stated that no action under Section 31 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, would be initiated against such applicants solely on the ground of their previous enrolment.

However, this protection applies provided the applicant is not already registered in another Parliamentary or Assembly constituency and the declaration submitted is otherwise in accordance with the law.

Why existing voters were hesitant to submit Form 6

The clarification follows concerns that some previously enrolled voters were reluctant to apply for inclusion in the electoral roll after finding their names missing from the draft lists published during the SIR exercise.

Form 6 requires applicants to furnish a declaration stating that their names are being included in the electoral roll for the first time.

This created apprehensions among previously registered voters, who feared that submitting the form despite their earlier enrolment could be treated as a false declaration and expose them to prosecution under Section 31 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.

The Election Commission has now clarified that earlier registration does not prevent an eligible voter from submitting Form 6 again when their name does not appear in the draft electoral roll.

Election Commission refers to Delhi High Court order

In its communication, the Commission also referred to the Delhi High Court’s October 14 order in the case of Nilotpal Datta and another versus the Election Commission of India and others.

The case concerned an applicant who had previously been enrolled as a voter but was apprehensive about submitting Form 6 because of the declaration that the name was being included in the electoral roll for the first time.

The High Court observed that the petitioners’ apprehension was misplaced and allowed them to submit Form 6, if they wished, for processing in accordance with the law.

The Election Commission’s latest clarification is in line with this judicial observation.

EC asks states and UTs to publicise clarification

The poll body has asked Chief Electoral Officers across all states and Union Territories to ensure that the clarification reaches concerned voters.

It has also requested officials to publicise the information widely through available media platforms and in local languages so that eligible voters are aware of the procedure for seeking inclusion in the electoral roll.

The clarification comes amid ongoing concerns and legal challenges surrounding the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and the process of re-enrolling voters whose names do not appear in draft lists.

Delhi’s air quality deteriorated further on Tuesday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) climbing to 348 in the ‘very poor’ category. The contribution of stubble burning to the national capital’s PM2.5 pollution is also expected to increase over the next three days, potentially crossing 22% by November 5, according to a forecast.

The city’s AQI stood at 324 on November 2, compared with 261 on November 1, indicating a continuous deterioration in air quality over the two days.

According to the Decision Support System (DSS) for air quality management in Delhi, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, stubble burning contributed 8.583% to the city’s PM2.5 concentration on November 2. This share was forecast to rise to 15.301% on November 3.

The contribution is expected to increase further to 20.057% on November 4 and 22.207% on November 5, the forecast showed.

Punjab records highest number of farm fires

The rising contribution comes amid continued detection of agricultural residue-burning incidents across neighbouring states.

Satellite data detected 219 paddy residue-burning incidents across the monitored states on November 2. Punjab recorded the highest number at 98, followed by Rajasthan with 67 and Madhya Pradesh with 48.

Uttar Pradesh reported four incidents, while Haryana recorded two. No residue-burning incidents were detected in Delhi or Uttarakhand on the day, according to the Consortium for Research on Agroecosystem Monitoring and Modelling from Space (CREAMS) Lab at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-IARI).

The DSS forecast for the next three days is based on climatological data relating to fire counts and emissions.

Over 3,500 farm fires detected this season

A total of 3,535 farm-fire incidents were detected between September 15 and November 2 this year.

Punjab accounted for the largest share, with 1,612 incidents. Rajasthan followed with 738, while Madhya Pradesh recorded 614.

The remaining incidents included 349 in Uttar Pradesh, 176 in Uttarakhand, 44 in Haryana and two in Delhi.

However, the overall number of detected farm fires has declined considerably compared with previous years.

During the corresponding period in 2020, 51,822 incidents were recorded across the states and regions covered by the bulletin. The figure declined to 24,583 in 2021 and stood at 26,490 in 2022.

It subsequently fell to 18,991 in 2023, 9,668 in 2024 and 4,993 in 2025.

Punjab and Haryana see fewer farm fires than last year

Punjab, which has recorded the highest number of farm fires this season, reported 1,612 incidents until November 2, compared with 2,262 during the corresponding period last year. In 2020, the state had recorded 41,176 incidents during the same period.

Haryana also witnessed a decline, with 44 incidents this season against 122 in 2025 and 2,606 in 2020.

The figures have been compiled using satellite remote sensing under the standard protocol for estimating crop residue-burning incidents.

The stubble-burning season runs from September 15 to November 30. Delhi recorded its first farm-fire incident of the current season on September 19, followed by another on October 24.

While the forecast indicates that stubble burning could account for a larger share of Delhi’s PM2.5 pollution in the coming days, the city’s overall air quality is influenced by several sources. The contribution of farm fires also varies depending on prevailing weather and wind conditions.

Harley-Davidson has officially unveiled the Sprint 440, a new entry-level cruiser developed in partnership with India’s Hero MotoCorp. The motorcycle brings traditional cruiser styling to the company’s existing 440cc platform, offering a different design approach from the Harley-Davidson X440.

The Sprint 440 will make its public debut at the EICMA 2026 motorcycle show in Milan, Italy. While the motorcycle is being prepared for international markets, deliveries in the United States are scheduled to begin in spring 2027.

Harley-Davidson Sprint 440 design and styling

The Sprint 440 adopts a conventional cruiser appearance, featuring an elongated and low-slung profile. Its design highlights include a teardrop-shaped fuel tank, a scooped rider seat, swept-back handlebars and a shortened rear mudguard.

A stepped pillion section and a low-mounted exhaust further complement its cruiser styling. The motorcycle also features a relatively narrow profile, with its proportions designed to provide a relaxed riding position.

One of its key highlights is the 671mm laden seat height. Harley-Davidson will also offer optional Reach and Tallboy seats to accommodate riders with different seating preferences.

Engine and performance

The new Harley-Davidson Sprint 440 is powered by a 440cc, single-cylinder, air- and oil-cooled engine.

The powertrain produces 26.7 bhp at 6,000 rpm and 38 Nm of peak torque at 4,000 rpm. It is paired with a six-speed gearbox and an assist-and-slipper clutch.

The company claims a combined fuel efficiency of approximately 34 kmpl. The motorcycle also gets a 9-litre fuel tank, which is smaller than the 13.5-litre unit offered on the India-spec Harley-Davidson X440.

Features and equipment

Despite its traditional cruiser styling, the Sprint 440 receives a modern equipment package.

It comes with a circular 3.5-inch colour TFT instrument console, full LED lighting and a USB Type-C charging port positioned above the headlamp.

Harley-Davidson will also offer several optional accessories, including a detachable windscreen, saddlebags, passenger backrest, engine guard and alternative handlebars.

These accessories will allow customers to customise the motorcycle according to their riding and touring requirements.

Harley-Davidson Sprint 440 price and launch timeline

Harley-Davidson has announced a starting price of £4,995 for the Sprint 440 in the UK.

For the US market, deliveries are scheduled to begin in spring 2027. Final assembly for the US-market motorcycle will take place at Harley-Davidson’s facility in York, Pennsylvania.

The motorcycle’s international rollout will follow different schedules depending on the market.

What about the India launch?

The Sprint 440 has a significant connection with India because it has been developed in partnership with Hero MotoCorp, which is also associated with the existing X440 platform.

However, despite its Indian development connection, an India-specific launch date and local pricing have not yet been announced.

The motorcycle brings a more traditional cruiser design to the 440cc platform, distinguishing it from the roadster-oriented X440. More details about its availability in India are awaited.