Will the planet's oldest leader retain his title and attract a country of young voters?
The world's most aged head of state - 92-year-old Paul Biya - has pledged Cameroon's voters "the future holds promise" as he seeks his 8th consecutive presidential term this weekend.
The 92-year-old has already been in power since 1982 - another 7-year term could extend his reign for half a century reaching almost a century old.
Election Issues
He ignored broad demands to step down and faced criticism for attending just one rally, devoting much of the political race on a 10-day personal visit to the European continent.
A backlash concerning his use of an AI-generated political commercial, as his opponents actively wooed supporters directly, prompted his quick return to the northern region upon his arrival.
Young Voters and Unemployment
This indicates for the great bulk of the citizenry, Biya has been the exclusive ruler they experienced - more than sixty percent of Cameroon's 30 million residents are under the quarter century mark.
Youthful political activist Marie Flore Mboussi strongly desires "fresh leadership" as she believes "longevity in power typically causes a type of inertia".
"After 43 years, the population are weary," she states.
Youth unemployment has become a notable issue of concern for nearly all the aspirants participating in the political race.
Approximately 40% of young citizens between 15 and 35 are unemployed, with twenty-three percent of recent graduates encountering difficulties in securing formal employment.
Rival Contenders
Apart from young people's job issues, the voting procedure has generated dispute, especially with the removal of Maurice Kamto from the election contest.
His exclusion, confirmed by the highest court, was generally denounced as a tactic to block any significant opposition to the incumbent.
Twelve contenders were approved to vie for the country's top job, including Issa Tchiroma Bakary and a previous supporter - each previous Biya associates from the northern region of the country.
Voting Difficulties
Within the nation's Anglophone North-West and Southwest regions, where a extended insurgency persists, an poll avoidance lockdown has been enforced, halting commercial operations, movement and education.
Insurgents who have imposed it have warned to target anyone who participates.
Beginning in 2017, those seeking to create a breakaway state have been fighting government forces.
The violence has to date resulted in at minimum 6,000 lives and caused approximately half a million people from their homes.
Election Results
Once polling concludes, the Constitutional Council has two weeks to reveal the findings.
The interior minister has earlier advised that no candidate is permitted to claim success beforehand.
"Candidates who will attempt to announce results of the leadership vote or any unofficial win announcement against the rules of the country would have crossed the red line and need to be prepared to face retaliatory measures commensurate to their offense."
