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The planet's most aged head of state - nonagenarian Paul Biya - has assured the nation's electorate "the best is still to come" as he pursues his 8th straight presidential term this weekend.

The 92-year-old has already been in office since 1982 - an additional seven-year term could see him rule for 50 years until he will be almost 100.

Campaign Controversies

He defied broad demands to resign and drew backlash for making merely a single campaign event, devoting much of the campaign period on a week-and-a-half personal visit to Europe.

Negative reaction regarding his use of an artificial intelligence created campaign video, as his rivals actively wooed constituents directly, prompted his quick return to the northern region upon his arrival.

Young Voters and Joblessness

Consequently for the great bulk of the people, Biya remains the sole leader they remember - over 60% of Cameroon's 30 million residents are younger than the 25 years old.

Young advocate Marie Flore Mboussi strongly desires "fresh leadership" as she maintains "longevity in power inevitably leads to a type of laziness".

"Following four decades, the population are tired," she declares.

Youth unemployment has become a specific issue of concern for the majority of the candidates competing in the election.

Approximately 40% of young residents between 15-35 are without work, with 23% of young graduates facing challenges in obtaining official jobs.

Opposition Candidates

In addition to youth unemployment, the voting procedure has created dispute, particularly regarding the exclusion of Maurice Kamto from the presidential race.

The removal, upheld by the Constitutional Council, was broadly condemned as a strategy to stop any strong challenge to the incumbent.

A dozen aspirants were cleared to compete for the country's top job, including a former minister and a previous supporter - each previous Biya colleagues from the north of the nation.

Election Challenges

Within the nation's Anglophone North-West and Southwest regions, where a extended rebellion persists, an poll avoidance lockdown has been established, stopping economic functions, travel and schooling.

Insurgents who have established it have warned to harm people who does vote.

Since 2017, those attempting to establish a independent territory have been battling state security.

The violence has so far caused the deaths of at least 6,000 people and caused approximately five hundred thousand others from their residences.

Election Results

Following the election, the highest court has fifteen days to reveal the outcome.

The government official has earlier advised that no aspirant is allowed to claim success beforehand.

"Candidates who will seek to declare outcomes of the leadership vote or any self-proclaimed victory against the laws of the nation would have crossed the red line and should be ready to face consequences matching their offense."