Will this planet's oldest leader keep his title and attract a nation of youthful voters?
The planet's most aged leader - 92-year-old Paul Biya - has pledged the nation's voters "better days are ahead" as he seeks his eighth consecutive term in office on Sunday.
The 92-year-old has stayed in office since 1982 - an additional seven-year term could keep him in power for half a century reaching almost 100.
Election Controversies
He ignored widespread calls to leave office and faced criticism for only showing up for one public appearance, spending most of the political race on a week-and-a-half personal visit to Europe.
Negative reaction concerning his reliance on an computer-generated campaign video, as his opponents courted constituents in person, prompted his quick return north upon his arrival.
Youth Voters and Unemployment
Consequently for the large portion of the citizenry, Biya remains the sole leader they have known - over sixty percent of the nation's thirty million people are under the age of 25.
Young campaigner Marie Flore Mboussi strongly desires "different faces" as she believes "extended rule inevitably leads to a sort of complacency".
"With 43 years passed, the population are exhausted," she says.
Youth unemployment has been a specific talking point for the majority of the aspirants running in the election.
Almost forty percent of young citizens between 15 and 35 are without work, with twenty-three percent of college-educated youth experiencing problems in obtaining formal employment.
Opposition Candidates
Beyond young people's job issues, the voting procedure has also stirred dispute, notably concerning the exclusion of Maurice Kamto from the election contest.
The removal, approved by the legal authority, was generally denounced as a ploy to block any significant opposition to President Biya.
12 candidates were approved to vie for the leadership position, featuring an ex-government official and another former ally - both former Biya allies from the northern region of the country.
Election Challenges
In Cameroon's English-speaking Northwest and South-West areas, where a protracted separatist conflict persists, an poll avoidance closure has been enforced, paralysing business activities, movement and schooling.
The separatists who have established it have promised to attack individuals who casts a ballot.
Since 2017, those working toward a separate nation have been clashing with government forces.
The violence has to date caused the deaths of at least 6,000 individuals and compelled almost five hundred thousand residents from their residences.
Vote Outcome
Once polling concludes, the highest court has fifteen days to announce the outcome.
The government official has earlier advised that none of the contenders is permitted to claim success prior to official results.
"Individuals who will attempt to announce results of the leadership vote or any personal declaration of success in violation of the regulations of the country would have violated boundaries and should be ready to encounter consequences commensurate to their violation."
