Will the world's most aged leader retain his title and woo a nation of youthful voters?
The world's oldest leader - nonagenarian Paul Biya - has pledged Cameroon's electorate "the best is still to come" as he seeks his eighth straight term in office this weekend.
The elderly leader has stayed in power for over four decades - another 7-year term could extend his reign for half a century until he will be almost a century old.
Campaign Controversies
He defied widespread calls to leave office and faced criticism for attending just one public appearance, using the majority of the election season on a ten-day unofficial journey to Europe.
Negative reaction over his reliance on an computer-generated election advertisement, as his challengers actively wooed voters directly, led to his hurried travel north after coming back.
Young Population and Unemployment
Consequently for the great bulk of the people, Biya has been the exclusive ruler they have known - over 60% of the nation's thirty million inhabitants are below the age of 25.
Youthful political activist Marie Flore Mboussi strongly desires "fresh leadership" as she believes "extended rule typically causes a sort of laziness".
"With 43 years passed, the citizens are tired," she says.
Youth unemployment has become a specific talking point for nearly all the contenders competing in the vote.
Nearly 40% of young Cameroonians between 15 and 35 are unemployed, with twenty-three percent of young graduates facing challenges in obtaining official jobs.
Rival Contenders
Beyond youth unemployment, the electoral process has created debate, particularly regarding the disqualification of an opposition leader from the presidential race.
His exclusion, approved by the legal authority, was broadly condemned as a tactic to block any strong challenge to President Biya.
A dozen aspirants were cleared to vie for the presidency, featuring a former minister and a previous supporter - both former Biya associates from the north of the nation.
Election Challenges
In Cameroon's English-speaking North-West and South-West areas, where a long-running insurgency persists, an poll avoidance restriction has been established, paralysing commercial operations, travel and schooling.
Rebel groups who have enforced it have warned to harm people who casts a ballot.
Since 2017, those seeking to create a breakaway state have been clashing with state security.
The conflict has until now resulted in at no fewer than 6,000 lives and caused nearly 500,000 residents from their houses.
Election Results
Once polling concludes, the highest court has fifteen days to reveal the results.
The security chief has previously cautioned that none of the contenders is permitted to declare victory prior to official results.
"Those who will seek to announce results of the presidential election or any personal declaration of success in violation of the rules of the republic would have violated boundaries and need to be prepared to receive retaliatory measures appropriate for their violation."
