Will the world's oldest president retain his position and woo a country of young electorate?
This world's oldest head of state - 92-year-old Paul Biya - has assured the nation's electorate "the best is still to come" as he pursues his 8th consecutive presidential term this weekend.
The 92-year-old has already been in office for over four decades - an additional 7-year term could see him rule for 50 years reaching almost 100.
Election Controversies
He defied numerous appeals to leave office and drew backlash for attending just one public appearance, using the majority of the campaign period on a ten-day unofficial journey to the European continent.
Criticism regarding his use of an artificial intelligence created campaign video, as his opponents sought constituents in person, prompted his quick return north on his return home.
Young Voters and Joblessness
It means that for the great bulk of the people, Biya is the only president they have known - more than sixty percent of Cameroon's thirty million inhabitants are under the quarter century mark.
Young advocate Marie Flore Mboussi is desperate for "fresh leadership" as she believes "longevity in power inevitably leads to a kind of laziness".
"After 43 years, the people are weary," she states.
Employment challenges for youth has become a particular issue of concern for most of the aspirants competing in the political race.
Nearly forty percent of young Cameroonians between 15-35 are jobless, with twenty-three percent of young graduates facing challenges in obtaining regular work.
Opposition Candidates
In addition to young people's job issues, the election system has created dispute, particularly regarding the removal of Maurice Kamto from the election contest.
The disqualification, confirmed by the Constitutional Council, was broadly condemned as a strategy to stop any serious competition to the incumbent.
Twelve candidates were approved to contest for the country's top job, featuring Issa Tchiroma Bakary and another former ally - both ex- Biya associates from the northern region of the country.
Voting Challenges
In Cameroon's Anglophone Northwest and South-West areas, where a protracted insurgency continues, an election boycott closure has been enforced, halting commercial operations, transport and schooling.
The separatists who have established it have warned to target individuals who does vote.
Starting four years ago, those seeking to create a breakaway state have been battling official military.
The conflict has until now caused the deaths of at minimum six thousand people and forced approximately half a million residents from their residences.
Election Results
Once polling concludes, the Constitutional Council has two weeks to declare the findings.
The interior minister has earlier advised that none of the contenders is authorized to declare victory beforehand.
"Individuals who will attempt to reveal findings of the leadership vote or any unofficial win announcement against the laws of the country would have broken rules and need to be prepared to face penalties appropriate for their violation."
