Will the world's oldest leader keep his title and attract a nation of young electorate?
This world's oldest head of state - nonagenarian Paul Biya - has pledged the nation's electorate "the future holds promise" as he seeks his eighth straight presidential term this weekend.
The 92-year-old has already been in office for over four decades - another 7-year mandate could extend his reign for half a century making him almost 100.
Election Controversies
He resisted widespread calls to step down and drew backlash for only showing up for one rally, spending most of the election season on a ten-day private trip to the European continent.
Negative reaction over his use of an computer-generated political commercial, as his opponents courted supporters on the ground, saw him rush north upon his arrival.
Young Voters and Unemployment
Consequently for the great bulk of the population, Biya is the only president they remember - more than sixty percent of Cameroon's thirty million residents are below the 25 years old.
Young political activist Marie Flore Mboussi is desperate for "fresh leadership" as she believes "longevity in power typically causes a type of inertia".
"After 43 years, the population are tired," she states.
Young people's joblessness remains a specific issue of concern for nearly all the contenders competing in the vote.
Nearly 40% of young residents between 15-35 are unemployed, with 23% of recent graduates encountering difficulties in securing official jobs.
Rival Candidates
Beyond youth unemployment, the electoral process has generated dispute, especially with the disqualification of an opposition leader from the election contest.
His exclusion, confirmed by the highest court, was widely criticised as a tactic to prevent any serious competition to President Biya.
A dozen aspirants were authorized to contest for the presidency, including a former minister and a previous supporter - both former Biya colleagues from the north of the country.
Election Difficulties
In Cameroon's English-speaking North-West and South-West areas, where a long-running insurgency ongoing, an election boycott closure has been enforced, paralysing commercial operations, movement and education.
Insurgents who have enforced it have threatened to target individuals who casts a ballot.
Since 2017, those working toward a independent territory have been battling state security.
The conflict has until now caused the deaths of at least six thousand individuals and forced nearly five hundred thousand others from their houses.
Vote Outcome
Once polling concludes, the highest court has fifteen days to reveal the results.
The interior minister has previously cautioned that no candidate is permitted to claim success in advance.
"Those who will seek to reveal findings of the political race or any unofficial win announcement contrary to the regulations of the republic would have broken rules and must prepare to face retaliatory measures matching their crime."
