Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad is expected to unveil a prudent, people-friendly "election budget" on Friday to help consumers and sustain economic recovery, analysts say.

Pleasant surprises are expected for the man in the street because analysts say the 2004 budget, the last for Mahathir before he retires next month after 22 years in power, is designed with an upcoming general election in mind.

The government under Mahathir's successor and current deputy, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, is widely expected to call elections before the middle of next year although its five-year term expires only in November.