Can the planet's most aged leader keep his position and attract a nation of young voters?
The planet's most aged head of state - 92-year-old Paul Biya - has promised Cameroon's voters "the best is still to come" as he seeks his 8th straight presidential term on Sunday.
The elderly leader has remained in office for over four decades - another 7-year mandate could keep him in power for half a century reaching almost 100.
Campaign Issues
He resisted broad demands to leave office and drew backlash for only showing up for one rally, using the majority of the political race on a ten-day private trip to the European continent.
Criticism regarding his use of an AI-generated election advertisement, as his opponents sought voters on the ground, led to his hurried travel north upon his arrival.
Young Population and Unemployment
Consequently for the vast majority of the people, Biya is the only president they experienced - above 60% of the nation's 30 million residents are under the age of 25.
Youthful advocate Marie Flore Mboussi is desperate for "fresh leadership" as she believes "extended rule typically causes a type of inertia".
"Following four decades, the population are tired," she says.
Young people's joblessness has become a particular issue of concern for nearly all the aspirants participating in the election.
Nearly forty percent of young residents aged from 15 and 35 are jobless, with 23% of young graduates facing challenges in securing official jobs.
Opposition Contenders
Beyond youth unemployment, the electoral process has created dispute, notably concerning the exclusion of a political rival from the presidential race.
His exclusion, upheld by the highest court, was widely criticised as a strategy to prevent any significant opposition to the current leader.
A dozen aspirants were cleared to compete for the presidency, comprising an ex-government official and a previous supporter - the two previous Biya colleagues from the north of the country.
Election Difficulties
In Cameroon's English-speaking Northwest and Southwest regions, where a extended rebellion persists, an voting prohibition closure has been imposed, stopping business activities, travel and schooling.
The separatists who have imposed it have warned to target people who participates.
Beginning in 2017, those attempting to establish a separate nation have been fighting state security.
The violence has until now resulted in at least 6k lives and forced almost 500,000 others from their homes.
Vote Outcome
After Sunday's vote, the Constitutional Council has 15 days to announce the findings.
The government official has previously cautioned that none of the contenders is authorized to declare victory prior to official results.
"Candidates who will try to announce results of the presidential election or any self-proclaimed victory in violation of the regulations of the nation would have broken rules and need to be prepared to receive consequences appropriate for their crime."
