Can the planet's oldest president keep the title and attract a country of youthful electorate?
The world's oldest head of state - nonagenarian Paul Biya - has pledged Cameroon's electorate "better days are ahead" as he pursues his 8th consecutive term in office on Sunday.
The elderly leader has already been in office for over four decades - an additional 7-year mandate could extend his reign for half a century until he will be almost a century old.
Campaign Issues
He defied widespread calls to resign and drew backlash for attending just one rally, devoting much of the election season on a week-and-a-half personal visit to Europe.
Negative reaction regarding his reliance on an computer-generated political commercial, as his rivals actively wooed voters in person, led to his hurried travel north upon his arrival.
Youth Voters and Unemployment
It means that for the great bulk of the population, Biya has been the exclusive ruler they remember - more than sixty percent of the nation's 30 million residents are below the 25 years old.
Young political activist Marie Flore Mboussi is desperate for "fresh leadership" as she believes "prolonged leadership naturally results in a type of inertia".
"After 43 years, the people are tired," she says.
Young people's joblessness has been a notable discussion topic for nearly all the contenders competing in the vote.
Approximately forty percent of youthful citizens aged from 15 and 35 are unemployed, with twenty-three percent of college-educated youth experiencing problems in obtaining regular work.
Rival Contenders
Beyond youth unemployment, the election system has created debate, particularly regarding the disqualification of Maurice Kamto from the presidential race.
The disqualification, confirmed by the legal authority, was widely criticised as a strategy to block any significant opposition to the incumbent.
A dozen candidates were cleared to vie for the presidency, including an ex-government official and another former ally - both former Biya associates from the north of the nation.
Election Challenges
In Cameroon's English-speaking North-West and South-West regions, where a extended rebellion continues, an election boycott closure has been enforced, halting business activities, travel and education.
The separatists who have established it have threatened to target individuals who casts a ballot.
Since 2017, those working toward a separate nation have been battling state security.
The violence has to date killed at no fewer than six thousand lives and compelled almost five hundred thousand residents from their homes.
Vote Outcome
Following the election, the legal body has fifteen days to announce the results.
The interior minister has already warned that no aspirant is permitted to announce winning beforehand.
"Individuals who will try to reveal findings of the political race or any unofficial win announcement in violation of the regulations of the republic would have violated boundaries and must prepare to encounter penalties commensurate to their violation."
