Zimbabwe's push to hold elections this year is likely to serve up a spectacular side-show of the wealth flowing within the country's main political parties. They will rely heavily on their financial prowess to mount a vigorous election campaign.

Zanu-PF and the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) seem unphased by the official position of the Zimbabwean Election Commission. It states that there are no funds to stage an election this year. However the two parties are prepared to source funds themselves to end the three-year-old unity government that both parties claim is now "unworkable".

Analysts say the looming election this year could see the spending stakes being lifted even higher than ever.

In the 2008 polls, Zanu-PF sought the services of international advertising agency Saatchi & Saatchi, to spruce up its image, with large advertising campaigns, posters and billboards of Mugabe dotted around the country.

In turn, the MDC-T strongman canvassed the country's rural areas for votes in a red-coloured bus nicknamed "Morgan", which proved to be a popular charm tool.

An armoured BMW vehicle also showed up on Tsvangirai's last election campaign trail, with Zanu-PF hawks - visibly intimidated by the leader's flagrant show of wealth - moving in quickly to impound it. It still remains impounded.

Analysts warn that smaller political parties that have announced their intention to contest in the upcoming election risk dying a "natural death" should they fail to match the financial muscle of Zanu-PF and the MDC-T.

Parties that have thrown their challenge into the election race include Welshman Ncube's MDC, Job Sikhala's MDC-99, Simba Makoni's Mavambo/Kusile/Dawn and Dumiso Dabengwa's Zapu party.

Political analyst Charles Mangongera said "Money and politics cannot be separated at all".

The Zimbabwean Broadcasting Corporation and state-owned newspapers, Herald and Sunday Mail, will be used to campaign for and support the 87-year-old leader.

Fears are growing within political and business circles that the indigenisation campaign - which is the central plank of Zanu-PF's election manifesto - may also be used to line the party's pockets with resources and funds.

Meanwhile, indications that the MDC-T is mulling to rebrand its colours and logo ahead of the new election may augur well for the party, as it seeks to differentiate itself from rival groups.