Can this world's most aged leader retain his title and attract a nation of young voters?
The world's most aged leader - nonagenarian Paul Biya - has assured the nation's electorate "the future holds promise" as he pursues his eighth straight term in office this weekend.
The 92-year-old has stayed in power for over four decades - another 7-year term could see him rule for half a century reaching almost a century old.
Campaign Controversies
He resisted broad demands to resign and faced criticism for only showing up for one public appearance, spending most of the political race on a week-and-a-half private trip to the European continent.
Criticism over his reliance on an AI-generated political commercial, as his challengers sought voters in person, led to his hurried travel to the northern region on his return home.
Youth Population and Joblessness
Consequently for the great bulk of the citizenry, Biya remains the sole leader they remember - over 60% of Cameroon's thirty million inhabitants are under the quarter century mark.
Young campaigner Marie Flore Mboussi urgently wants "fresh leadership" as she thinks "prolonged leadership naturally results in a sort of laziness".
"Following four decades, the population are weary," she declares.
Employment challenges for youth has been a specific discussion topic for the majority of the candidates competing in the vote.
Nearly 40% of youthful residents aged from 15 to 35 years are unemployed, with 23% of young graduates experiencing problems in securing regular work.
Opposition Candidates
Apart from youth unemployment, the voting procedure has also stirred dispute, especially with the exclusion of a political rival from the leadership competition.
The disqualification, approved by the highest court, was generally denounced as a tactic to stop any significant opposition to President Biya.
12 candidates were authorized to contest for the leadership position, including Issa Tchiroma Bakary and another former ally - each ex- Biya allies from the northern region of the nation.
Election Difficulties
In Cameroon's English-speaking Northwest and South-West regions, where a extended separatist conflict continues, an poll avoidance lockdown has been established, halting commercial operations, transport and schooling.
Insurgents who have established it have promised to target individuals who participates.
Starting four years ago, those attempting to establish a separate nation have been fighting official military.
The violence has until now resulted in at no fewer than six thousand lives and caused nearly 500,000 people from their homes.
Vote Outcome
Following the election, the Constitutional Council has 15 days to declare the results.
The security chief has already warned that no candidate is allowed to claim success in advance.
"Those who will attempt to reveal findings of the leadership vote or any self-proclaimed victory in violation of the regulations of the republic would have broken rules and must prepare to face consequences matching their violation."
