Can the world's most aged president keep his position and attract a country of youthful voters?
The world's oldest head of state - 92-year-old Paul Biya - has promised Cameroon's voters "the future holds promise" as he aims for his eighth consecutive presidential term this weekend.
The nonagenarian has stayed in office since 1982 - an additional seven-year mandate could extend his reign for 50 years until he will be almost 100.
Election Controversies
He resisted broad demands to leave office and drew backlash for only showing up for one rally, using the majority of the campaign period on a 10-day private trip to the European continent.
Criticism over his dependence on an artificial intelligence created election advertisement, as his opponents sought constituents directly, saw him rush north upon his arrival.
Youth Voters and Joblessness
It means that for the great bulk of the citizenry, Biya is the only president they have known - above sixty percent of Cameroon's thirty million residents are younger than the quarter century mark.
Young campaigner Marie Flore Mboussi urgently wants "fresh leadership" as she thinks "longevity in power typically causes a sort of complacency".
"With 43 years passed, the population are weary," she says.
Employment challenges for youth has become a specific talking point for nearly all the aspirants running in the vote.
Approximately 40% of youthful Cameroonians aged from 15 to 35 years are unemployed, with 23% of recent graduates facing challenges in finding formal employment.
Opposition Contenders
In addition to youth unemployment, the voting procedure has also stirred controversy, particularly regarding the exclusion of Maurice Kamto from the election contest.
The disqualification, upheld by the legal authority, was widely criticised as a ploy to stop any significant opposition to President Biya.
Twelve candidates were cleared to compete for the presidency, including an ex-government official and a previous supporter - each previous Biya allies from the north of the nation.
Election Difficulties
Within the nation's English-speaking Northwest and Southwest territories, where a extended insurgency continues, an poll avoidance closure has been imposed, stopping commercial operations, transport and education.
Insurgents who have imposed it have promised to target individuals who participates.
Beginning in 2017, those attempting to establish a breakaway state have been fighting state security.
The fighting has to date resulted in at no fewer than 6k lives and compelled nearly half a million others from their houses.
Vote Outcome
After Sunday's vote, the legal body has fifteen days to announce the findings.
The government official has already warned that no candidate is permitted to claim success in advance.
"Candidates who will attempt to reveal findings of the presidential election or any personal declaration of success against the regulations of the country would have broken rules and must prepare to face retaliatory measures matching their offense."
