The world's most aged leader - 92-year-old Paul Biya - has promised Cameroon's electorate "the future holds promise" as he aims for his 8th straight term in office this weekend.
The elderly leader has remained in office since 1982 - another seven-year term could extend his reign for 50 years until he will be almost a century old.
Campaign Controversies
He defied numerous appeals to resign and drew backlash for making merely one rally, devoting much of the political race on a ten-day personal visit to Europe.
Negative reaction over his reliance on an AI-generated political commercial, as his opponents courted supporters on the ground, prompted his quick return to the northern region on his return home.
Youth Voters and Unemployment
It means that for the large portion of the people, Biya remains the sole leader they remember - more than sixty percent of Cameroon's thirty million people are younger than the age of 25.
Youthful political activist Marie Flore Mboussi strongly desires "different faces" as she believes "extended rule naturally results in a kind of inertia".
"Following four decades, the population are exhausted," she declares.
Youth unemployment has become a specific discussion topic for the majority of the contenders competing in the election.
Almost 40% of young Cameroonians aged from 15 to 35 years are unemployed, with 23% of college-educated youth facing challenges in obtaining formal employment.
Rival Contenders
Apart from youth unemployment, the electoral process has also stirred dispute, notably concerning the exclusion of an opposition leader from the leadership competition.
The removal, upheld by the highest court, was widely criticised as a tactic to stop any significant opposition to the current leader.
12 aspirants were cleared to vie for the presidency, comprising Issa Tchiroma Bakary and another former ally - each ex- Biya colleagues from the north of the country.
Voting Difficulties
Within the nation's English-speaking Northwest and Southwest regions, where a long-running separatist conflict ongoing, an voting prohibition lockdown has been enforced, halting economic functions, travel and schooling.
The separatists who have imposed it have warned to attack people who casts a ballot.
Beginning in 2017, those working toward a independent territory have been fighting government forces.
The conflict has to date caused the deaths of at least 6,000 lives and caused nearly 500,000 others from their residences.
Election Results
After Sunday's vote, the highest court has two weeks to declare the results.
The security chief has previously cautioned that no aspirant is allowed to claim success prior to official results.
"Individuals who will try to reveal findings of the presidential election or any personal declaration of success in violation of the rules of the republic would have crossed the red line and should be ready to face retaliatory measures appropriate for their violation."
