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The planet's most aged head of state - 92-year-old Paul Biya - has promised the nation's electorate "the best is still to come" as he seeks his eighth straight term in office this weekend.

The nonagenarian has stayed in power since 1982 - another seven-year mandate could see him rule for 50 years making him almost 100.

Campaign Issues

He ignored widespread calls to resign and faced criticism for attending just a single campaign event, devoting much of the election season on a week-and-a-half unofficial journey to the European continent.

A backlash regarding his reliance on an artificial intelligence created campaign video, as his rivals courted constituents in person, saw him rush to the northern region upon his arrival.

Young Voters and Joblessness

It means that for the vast majority of the population, Biya has been the exclusive ruler they experienced - over 60% of Cameroon's 30 million residents are under the age of 25.

Youthful political activist Marie Flore Mboussi is desperate for "fresh leadership" as she believes "prolonged leadership naturally results in a type of inertia".

"After 43 years, the citizens are exhausted," she states.

Young people's joblessness has been a particular discussion topic for the majority of the aspirants participating in the election.

Approximately forty percent of youthful citizens aged from 15 to 35 years are jobless, with twenty-three percent of young graduates experiencing problems in finding regular work.

Opposition Candidates

Beyond young people's job issues, the election system has generated controversy, particularly regarding the exclusion of Maurice Kamto from the leadership competition.

The disqualification, upheld by the legal authority, was broadly condemned as a ploy to prevent any significant opposition to the current leader.

12 candidates were authorized to vie for the presidency, featuring a former minister and Bello Bouba Maigari - both ex- Biya allies from the north of the country.

Election Difficulties

Within the nation's Anglophone North-West and South-West territories, where a protracted insurgency continues, an poll avoidance closure has been established, stopping commercial operations, transport and schooling.

Rebel groups who have established it have warned to target people who participates.

Since 2017, those attempting to establish a breakaway state have been battling official military.

The fighting has so far caused the deaths of at no fewer than 6,000 people and forced almost half a million residents from their homes.

Election Results

After Sunday's vote, the Constitutional Council has fifteen days to announce the outcome.

The interior minister has already warned that none of the contenders is authorized to announce winning in advance.

"Individuals who will attempt to announce results of the leadership vote or any unofficial win announcement in violation of the regulations of the country would have broken rules and need to be prepared to face penalties commensurate to their offense."