Can the world's most aged leader keep the title and attract a nation of young electorate?
This planet's oldest head of state - 92-year-old Paul Biya - has pledged the nation's voters "the future holds promise" as he pursues his eighth consecutive presidential term this weekend.
The 92-year-old has already been in office for over four decades - an additional 7-year mandate could see him rule for 50 years making him almost a century old.
Election Issues
He resisted broad demands to leave office and faced criticism for making merely one public appearance, devoting much of the election season on a ten-day private trip to the European continent.
Criticism over his dependence on an AI-generated campaign video, as his rivals sought supporters on the ground, prompted his quick return north upon his arrival.
Youth Population and Joblessness
This indicates for the vast majority of the people, Biya is the only president they remember - above 60% of the nation's 30 million residents are under the age of 25.
Young political activist Marie Flore Mboussi is desperate for "different faces" as she thinks "longevity in power inevitably leads to a sort of inertia".
"With 43 years passed, the people are weary," she declares.
Youth unemployment has become a specific issue of concern for nearly all the contenders participating in the political race.
Approximately forty percent of youthful citizens between 15 to 35 years are without work, with twenty-three percent of recent graduates encountering difficulties in obtaining official jobs.
Rival Candidates
Apart from youth unemployment, the voting procedure has also stirred debate, notably concerning the disqualification of an opposition leader from the election contest.
The disqualification, upheld by the Constitutional Council, was broadly condemned as a tactic to stop any serious competition to President Biya.
Twelve contenders were authorized to vie for the country's top job, including an ex-government official and a previous supporter - each previous Biya allies from the northern region of the nation.
Election Difficulties
Within the nation's Anglophone Northwest and Southwest territories, where a extended insurgency continues, an poll avoidance restriction has been established, halting business activities, travel and learning.
The separatists who have imposed it have promised to target individuals who casts a ballot.
Beginning in 2017, those working toward a independent territory have been fighting official military.
The fighting has so far killed at no fewer than 6k lives and compelled approximately 500,000 residents from their houses.
Vote Outcome
After Sunday's vote, the legal body has 15 days to announce the findings.
The government official has previously cautioned that none of the contenders is permitted to declare victory in advance.
"Those who will try to announce results of the presidential election or any personal declaration of success in violation of the regulations of the republic would have violated boundaries and need to be prepared to receive penalties appropriate for their crime."
