"Preparations for the election will have to be completed within 120 days as the duration of the state of emergency is 120 days," Kazi Zafar Ahmed, senior presidium member of JP, said at a press briefing held at the party's Banani office.

He, however, said a delayed election is better than a faulty one and the election should be held as soon as possible.

“Everybody welcomed the decision of imposing the state of emergency and I hope the new caretaker government would take effective measures to resolve all crises," he said in response to a question and termed the state of emergency a temporary measure.

The JP leader appreciated "the recent role played by the army, foreign diplomats and donors in forming the present caretaker government."

Those who resorted to rampant corruption during the tenure of the last government should be arrested and brought to justice, Kazi Zafar also demanded.

"Fakhruddin Ahmed is a neutral and honest man and the advisory council led by him would be able to hold a free, fair, neutral and peaceful election for the nation," he said when journalists asked him to comment on the newly appointed chief adviser.

"The new government has been formed in accordance with the constitution," Zafar observed when replying to another question.

Replying to another query, Kazi Zafar said his party chairman Ershad was consulting legal experts to decide whether or not he should surrender to the court on Wednesday (today) as ordered. He may not have to surrender before the court, he added.

JP Secretary General Ruhul Amin Hawlader, presidium member Ziauddin Bablu, Tajul Islam Chowdhury, Fakir Ashraf and Abu Hossain Babla were present among others at the briefing.