The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured Nigerians and the international community that despite several litigations arising from the primaries organised by political parties, it would not postpone the date for any of the forthcoming General Elections.

Chairman of the commission Prof. Mahmood Yakubu said this in Abuja yesterday at a stakeholders meeting organised by INEC. He said the commission has been dragged to court 640 times and received 540 applications for the certified true copy of documents arising from the primaries.

He said that the commission under him would continue to obey all court orders, and would not be deterred in the discharge of its functions.

“Let me assure the nation and the stakeholders that smart card reader will be deployed in the 2019 elections. The next big issue for us is the voter register and the availability of the PVC

“We have 14.2  million new voters, the commission printed 14.2 million cards. The commission is going to meet today (Thursday) and where it is necessary, we will review the arrangements for the collection of PVC,” he said.

According to him, priority has been given to the elderly, visibly pregnant women and the physically challenged persons to vote at the polling units or voting points.

Also speaking on the preparations for the elections, the acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, told the stakeholders that no VIP would be allowed to move around with police escort on election days.

“No escort of VIPs on election day, any policeman who contravenes this order would be arrested,” the IGP said