Will the world's oldest president keep his position and woo a country of young electorate?
This planet's most aged leader - 92-year-old Paul Biya - has pledged Cameroon's electorate "the best is still to come" as he pursues his 8th straight presidential term on Sunday.
The elderly leader has remained in office for over four decades - another 7-year term could keep him in power for 50 years until he will be almost 100.
Election Controversies
He ignored widespread calls to leave office and drew backlash for only showing up for a single campaign event, devoting much of the election season on a week-and-a-half private trip to the European continent.
A backlash regarding his reliance on an computer-generated election advertisement, as his challengers actively wooed supporters in person, led to his hurried travel to the northern region on his return home.
Young Voters and Joblessness
This indicates for the large portion of the people, Biya remains the sole leader they have known - more than 60% of the nation's 30 million residents are under the age of 25.
Young political activist Marie Flore Mboussi strongly desires "different faces" as she maintains "longevity in power inevitably leads to a sort of laziness".
"After 43 years, the citizens are weary," she declares.
Youth unemployment has been a specific discussion topic for nearly all the aspirants competing in the political race.
Approximately 40% of youthful residents aged from 15-35 are jobless, with twenty-three percent of recent graduates experiencing problems in securing official jobs.
Rival Contenders
In addition to youth unemployment, the electoral process has also stirred debate, notably concerning the removal of Maurice Kamto from the election contest.
The removal, approved by the highest court, was generally denounced as a ploy to prevent any strong challenge to President Biya.
Twelve candidates were cleared to compete for the country's top job, comprising Issa Tchiroma Bakary and Bello Bouba Maigari - both previous Biya colleagues from the northern region of the country.
Election Difficulties
Within the nation's English-speaking Northwest and Southwest regions, where a extended separatist conflict continues, an voting prohibition restriction has been established, halting business activities, movement and education.
Insurgents who have enforced it have threatened to target anyone who casts a ballot.
Since 2017, those seeking to create a breakaway state have been battling state security.
The violence has so far resulted in at no fewer than 6k individuals and forced nearly five hundred thousand people from their houses.
Vote Outcome
After Sunday's vote, the highest court has 15 days to declare the results.
The security chief has earlier advised that no candidate is permitted to declare victory prior to official results.
"Individuals who will seek to reveal findings of the presidential election or any personal declaration of success against the rules of the country would have violated boundaries and must prepare to receive consequences matching their violation."
