Will the planet's oldest president keep his title and attract a nation of youthful electorate?
The planet's most aged leader - nonagenarian Paul Biya - has assured the nation's electorate "better days are ahead" as he aims for his eighth consecutive term in office this weekend.
The nonagenarian has remained in office since 1982 - an additional 7-year mandate could extend his reign for half a century until he will be almost a century old.
Election Controversies
He ignored broad demands to step down and drew backlash for only showing up for one rally, using the majority of the election season on a ten-day personal visit to Europe.
Negative reaction concerning his use of an AI-generated political commercial, as his rivals sought constituents in person, led to his hurried travel to the northern region upon his arrival.
Young Population and Joblessness
It means that for the great bulk of the population, Biya remains the sole leader they remember - above sixty percent of the nation's thirty million people are below the quarter century mark.
Young campaigner Marie Flore Mboussi urgently wants "new blood" as she thinks "extended rule naturally results in a sort of laziness".
"After 43 years, the population are exhausted," she states.
Youth unemployment remains a particular issue of concern for the majority of the aspirants running in the election.
Approximately 40% of youthful citizens between 15 to 35 years are without work, with twenty-three percent of recent graduates experiencing problems in obtaining regular work.
Opposition Contenders
Apart from young people's job issues, the electoral process has generated controversy, notably concerning the disqualification of an opposition leader from the election contest.
His exclusion, upheld by the highest court, was broadly condemned as a tactic to stop any strong challenge to the incumbent.
Twelve contenders were authorized to contest for the country's top job, comprising an ex-government official and Bello Bouba Maigari - each former Biya allies from the north of the nation.
Voting Difficulties
Within the nation's Anglophone North-West and Southwest territories, where a extended separatist conflict continues, an election boycott restriction has been imposed, halting commercial operations, travel and learning.
Insurgents who have established it have threatened to attack people who casts a ballot.
Beginning in 2017, those working toward a separate nation have been fighting government forces.
The conflict has to date resulted in at no fewer than six thousand lives and compelled almost half a million people from their houses.
Vote Outcome
Once polling concludes, the highest court has fifteen days to declare the findings.
The interior minister has previously cautioned that no candidate is allowed to announce winning beforehand.
"Individuals who will try to announce results of the presidential election or any unofficial win announcement against the rules of the country would have violated boundaries and must prepare to encounter consequences commensurate to their violation."
