As per the government declaration of 3rd July 1947 the date for holding the referendum in Sylhet was fixed on the 6th and 7th July 1947. The referendum became necessary to decide whether Sylhet would go to East Bengal or remain within Assam, a province of India. HC Stork was appointed the Referendum Commissioner to conduct the secret ballot. 478 Presiding Officers and 1434 Poling Officers were appointed for 239 poling centres.

The results of the referendum were as follows:

So there was a clear majority for Sylhet acceding to East Bengal. The referendum was acknowledged by Article 3 of the India Independence Act of 18 July 1947. By the Radcliffe award published on 12 August 1947 some Muslim majority thanas of Karimganj were given to India.

Author: Dewan Nurul Anwar Husain Chowdhury

Source: Banglapedia