The Nationalist Party's next leader will be one of four men, with no more nominations possible following a candidacy deadline which ended at 6pm this evening. 

Chris Said, Adrian Delia, Alex Perici Calascione and Frank Portelli will go head-to-head in the race to the party's top post. The first round of voting is due to take place on September 2, with a second round happening the following day if it is needed.

Former minister Dr Said is the only sitting MP to contend the post, and the party veteran highlighted his political experience when launching his leadership campaign last Monday. 

Dr Delia, a political outsider with no previous experience in local party politics, has pledged a clean slate and a break from the past, in a campaign titled 'a new way'. 

Dr Perici Calascione served as party treasurer during the previous legislature and spoke of his achievements in that role when launching his campaign earlier today. 

Dr Portelli, a medical professional who served as an MP in the early 1990s and subsequently as party president, made a late entry into the race and has yet to officially launch his leadership bid.