KOHAT, May 2: In Kohat division and the adjoining tribal areas, the turnout in the presidential referendum was calculated to be slightly above 50 per cent of the total registered votes, which is the highest as compared to the previous four general elections, a Dawn survey revealed.

Out of 786,407 registered voters in the Kohat division, including the frontier region and the Orakzai Agency, 348,699 voters cast their votes in the referendum. The turnout was more than 50 per cent.

According to data collected by Dawn from the respective areas in Kohat district, 113,095 cast their votes out of a total number of 278,256 registered voters. of those who cast votes, 110,488 people voted in ‘yes’ and 2,307 in ‘no’ whereas 300 votes were rejected. The turnout was 40.64 per cent.

In Karak district, out of a total 225,026 voters 81,474 exercised their right of vote, 79,095 approved the continuation of the president in the office, 2,087 did not agree for a next term for the president. The turnout remained 36.32 per cent. No vote was rejected.

Of the 148,718 voters in the Hangu district, 63,991 people used the ballot in which President Musharraf got 62,409 votes in favour. The turnout was 43 per cent.

In the Orakzai Agency, 77,210 cast votes. Out of this 72,825 voted in favour of the president and 3,235 against him. The turnout was 90.32 per cent and 1,150 votes were rejected. The total number of voters was 91,381.

In the frontier region, which also includes Darra Adamkhel 12,344 people voted in ‘yes’ and 551 in ‘no’ whereas 34 votes were rejected. The total number of voters here was 43,026 and the turnout remained 30 per cent.