Will the planet's most aged leader retain his title and attract a country of youthful electorate?
The planet's most aged head of state - 92-year-old Paul Biya - has assured the nation's electorate "better days are ahead" as he pursues his 8th consecutive presidential term this weekend.
The elderly leader has already been in office for over four decades - another 7-year term could see him rule for half a century reaching almost a century old.
Campaign Controversies
He ignored widespread calls to resign and drew backlash for making merely a single campaign event, devoting much of the campaign period on a week-and-a-half personal visit to the European continent.
Negative reaction over his dependence on an AI-generated political commercial, as his rivals courted supporters in person, prompted his quick return to the northern region upon his arrival.
Youth Population and Joblessness
It means that for the vast majority of the population, Biya remains the sole leader they remember - more than 60% of the nation's 30 million inhabitants are below the age of 25.
Young campaigner Marie Flore Mboussi strongly desires "fresh leadership" as she believes "extended rule typically causes a type of inertia".
"With 43 years passed, the people are exhausted," she says.
Youth unemployment has been a specific issue of concern for most of the candidates competing in the election.
Approximately forty percent of youthful citizens aged from 15 and 35 are jobless, with twenty-three percent of recent graduates facing challenges in finding official jobs.
Opposition Candidates
Apart from young people's job issues, the voting procedure has generated debate, notably concerning the removal of Maurice Kamto from the election contest.
His exclusion, upheld by the Constitutional Council, was generally denounced as a tactic to block any strong challenge to the current leader.
Twelve contenders were approved to contest for the presidency, including an ex-government official and Bello Bouba Maigari - both ex- Biya colleagues from the north of the nation.
Voting Challenges
In Cameroon's English-speaking North-West and South-West territories, where a extended rebellion continues, an poll avoidance restriction has been imposed, paralysing commercial operations, travel and education.
Rebel groups who have established it have warned to target individuals who casts a ballot.
Since 2017, those working toward a separate nation have been battling government forces.
The conflict has until now killed at least 6,000 individuals and caused almost five hundred thousand people from their residences.
Vote Outcome
After Sunday's vote, the highest court has 15 days to announce the results.
The government official has already warned that none of the contenders is authorized to declare victory prior to official results.
"Individuals who will try to announce results of the political race or any unofficial win announcement in violation of the rules of the nation would have broken rules and need to be prepared to receive penalties matching their crime."
