The campaign trail has come to an end, and the stage is now set for one of the most closely watched internal elections in the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), as former President Mohamed Nasheed and MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem prepare to face off in Friday's chairperson election.

For weeks, both candidates have travelled across the country seeking support from party members, presenting competing visions for the future of the opposition party.

Nasheed wrapped up his campaign on Thursday evening with a large rally in Male'. Hundreds of supporters took part in a march that stretched across the capital, walking from one end of the city to the other. Addressing supporters, Nasheed expressed confidence in victory, while many of those attending said they believed he would emerge as the next chairperson of the MDP.

A day earlier, Meekail concluded his campaign with a rally at Artificial Beach attended by former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and senior party figures. Throughout his campaign, Meekail has centred his message on generational change, arguing that young people should be given a greater role in shaping the party's future.

"This is the youth's time," has been one of the defining slogans of his campaign, with several young supporters taking to the stage at the final rally to advocate for new leadership within the party.

The contest has effectively become a choice between two different approaches — one led by Nasheed's experience and long-standing influence within the party, and the other driven by Meekail's call for youth leadership and renewal.

Voting is scheduled to take place on Friday from 2:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., with results expected by the following day.

By then, MDP members will have decided who will lead the party's next chapter.