Can the world's oldest leader keep his title and attract a nation of youthful voters?
The world's oldest head of state - nonagenarian Paul Biya - has promised the nation's voters "the future holds promise" as he pursues his eighth consecutive term in office this weekend.
The 92-year-old has remained in office since 1982 - another 7-year mandate could extend his reign for half a century reaching almost a century old.
Campaign Controversies
He defied broad demands to step down and faced criticism for only showing up for a single campaign event, using the majority of the election season on a ten-day unofficial journey to Europe.
Criticism regarding his use of an artificial intelligence created election advertisement, as his rivals actively wooed supporters on the ground, saw him rush to the northern region upon his arrival.
Young Population and Joblessness
It means that for the vast majority of the people, Biya has been the exclusive ruler they remember - more than 60% of Cameroon's thirty million inhabitants are below the age of 25.
Young advocate Marie Flore Mboussi strongly desires "fresh leadership" as she believes "extended rule typically causes a type of inertia".
"With 43 years passed, the citizens are tired," she declares.
Youth unemployment has become a specific talking point for most of the contenders running in the election.
Almost forty percent of youthful residents between 15 to 35 years are without work, with 23% of young graduates experiencing problems in finding regular work.
Rival Contenders
Apart from young people's job issues, the election system has generated controversy, notably concerning the removal of Maurice Kamto from the presidential race.
The disqualification, upheld by the highest court, was widely criticised as a ploy to prevent any significant opposition to the incumbent.
Twelve contenders were approved to vie for the presidency, featuring a former minister and another former ally - both previous Biya allies from the north of the country.
Voting Challenges
In Cameroon's Anglophone Northwest and Southwest regions, where a protracted separatist conflict continues, an voting prohibition closure has been established, paralysing commercial operations, movement and education.
The separatists who have imposed it have warned to target people who participates.
Starting four years ago, those seeking to create a breakaway state have been clashing with government forces.
The violence has so far caused the deaths of at minimum six thousand lives and compelled almost half a million others from their houses.
Election Results
After Sunday's vote, the legal body has fifteen days to declare the findings.
The security chief has previously cautioned that no candidate is permitted to announce winning beforehand.
"Candidates who will seek to reveal findings of the political race or any unofficial win announcement in violation of the rules of the country would have broken rules and should be ready to receive retaliatory measures appropriate for their crime."
