Will the planet's oldest president retain his position and woo a country of youthful voters?
The planet's oldest head of state - nonagenarian Paul Biya - has assured the nation's voters "the future holds promise" as he pursues his eighth straight presidential term this weekend.
The elderly leader has stayed in office since 1982 - an additional seven-year mandate could keep him in power for 50 years making him almost 100.
Campaign Controversies
He defied widespread calls to step down and faced criticism for only showing up for one public appearance, devoting much of the political race on a ten-day personal visit to Europe.
Criticism regarding his reliance on an AI-generated election advertisement, as his challengers sought constituents on the ground, saw him rush north on his return home.
Young Voters and Joblessness
This indicates for the large portion of the people, Biya is the only president they have known - more than sixty percent of the nation's thirty million inhabitants are below the age of 25.
Young campaigner Marie Flore Mboussi strongly desires "fresh leadership" as she maintains "longevity in power naturally results in a type of laziness".
"Following four decades, the citizens are exhausted," she declares.
Young people's joblessness has been a particular discussion topic for nearly all the contenders participating in the election.
Almost 40% of youthful residents between 15-35 are without work, with 23% of recent graduates facing challenges in finding regular work.
Rival Candidates
In addition to youth unemployment, the election system has also stirred debate, notably concerning the removal of an opposition leader from the presidential race.
The removal, upheld by the highest court, was broadly condemned as a strategy to block any serious competition to President Biya.
A dozen contenders were approved to compete for the presidency, featuring an ex-government official and Bello Bouba Maigari - both former Biya colleagues from the northern region of the nation.
Voting Difficulties
Within the nation's English-speaking North-West and South-West areas, where a protracted rebellion persists, an voting prohibition closure has been imposed, stopping business activities, transport and learning.
The separatists who have imposed it have promised to target anyone who casts a ballot.
Beginning in 2017, those seeking to create a independent territory have been fighting state security.
The violence has to date resulted in at minimum six thousand people and forced approximately half a million residents from their houses.
Vote Outcome
Once polling concludes, the Constitutional Council has fifteen days to announce the findings.
The government official has previously cautioned that no candidate is permitted to declare victory beforehand.
"Candidates who will attempt to reveal findings of the presidential election or any unofficial win announcement against the rules of the nation would have violated boundaries and should be ready to encounter penalties commensurate to their crime."
