The Immortal Voter: Why Zubeen Garg Is Still ‘Present’ On Assam’s Electoral Roll After Special Revision

Last Updated:February 11, 2026, 23:48 IST

The preservation of the singer’s name is the result of a deeply emotional decision by Booth Level Officer (BLO) Mohammad Tafiz Uddin

The final electoral roll for Assam, published after the recent Special Revision (SR), has immortalised arguably the state’s most beloved cultural icon. The name of legendary singer the late Zubeen Garg remains intact on the voter list for the Dispur assembly constituency, transformed from a mere administrative entry into a poignant tribute to his enduring legacy.

The preservation of the singer’s name is the result of a deeply emotional decision by Mohammad Tafiz Uddin, the Booth Level Officer (BLO) assigned to the Kahilipara area where the Garg family resided. During the mandatory door-to-door verification process, rather than following the standard protocol of deleting the name of a deceased voter via Form 7, Tafiz Uddin chose to honour the “Heartthrob of Assam". On the official record, the BLO penned a touching note: “May he remain immortal forever; may his soul rest in eternal peace."

Under the revised rolls, Zubeen Garg’s name now appears at Serial No. 1043, aged 54 (updated from No. 1245, aged 53), immediately followed by his wife, Garima Garg, at Serial No. 1044.

A Departure from Protocol

According to ECI guidelines, the Special Revision is a rigorous exercise designed to maintain a “clean" list by removing duplicates and deceased voters. Typically, the death of a voter requires the family to submit Form 7 to strike the name from the register.

However, in this instance, the administrative “oversight" has been widely celebrated across Assam. While the SR process in the state has faced its share of logistical controversies, the inclusion of Zubeen Garg’s name has been embraced as a communal act of respect for a man who defined Assamese modern culture.

Context of Tragedy

The emotional weight of this inclusion is magnified by the circumstances surrounding the singer’s passing. Zubeen Garg died in Singapore under mysterious circumstances on September 19, 2025. His death remains a matter of intense public and judicial scrutiny; following a Special Investigation Team (SIT) charge sheet, court hearings have been in progress since December 16.

For the people of Assam, seeing Zubeen’s name on the 2026 electoral list is not seen as a clerical error but as a symbolic gesture ensuring that, in the eyes of the state, the voice of the legend remains “present".

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