Taiwan's presidential candidates are making their final appeals to voters ahead of the closely watched election on Saturday. Relations with China are among the key issues in the poll, held once every four years.

Three hopefuls are in the running. Lai Ching-te is from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party. Hou Yu-ih represents Kuomintang, the biggest opposition party. And Ko Wen-je hails from the Taiwan People's Party, the second-largest opposition group.

On Friday, the last day before the poll, the candidates fanned out in campaign vehicles to appeal to voters in key population centers.

The DPP's Lai and Kuomintang's Hou were slated to hold their final rally in New Taipei City, a municipality with the largest number of eligible voters. The TPP's Ko planned to attend a rally outside the presidential office in Taipei.

On the key topic of China, Lai has signaled that he will resist pressure from Beijing, while Hou and Ko favor expanding dialogue and exchanges with the country.

The candidates are also courting public support for their economic policies -- an issue that is high on the minds of voters.

Analysts say the crucial factor for victory is whether the candidates can build up on their support bases and rally unaffiliated and young voters to their side.

Lai is believed to be leading the pack. There are views that the presence of two opposition candidates might split up votes critical of the ruling party.

Hou is calling on opposition supporters to concentrate their votes on him, in order to realize a change of power. Ko, meanwhile, is critical of the two major parties. He says politics need a fresh face.

Voting will take place from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m., local time. The ballots will be counted immediately.