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This world's most aged head of state - 92-year-old Paul Biya - has promised the nation's electorate "better days are ahead" as he seeks his eighth consecutive term in office on Sunday.

The 92-year-old has stayed in power since 1982 - another 7-year mandate could keep him in power for 50 years until he will be almost 100.

Election Controversies

He defied widespread calls to leave office and faced criticism for attending just a single campaign event, using the majority of the election season on a ten-day unofficial journey to the European continent.

A backlash concerning his use of an computer-generated political commercial, as his rivals actively wooed voters on the ground, led to his hurried travel north on his return home.

Youth Voters and Unemployment

Consequently for the vast majority of the population, Biya is the only president they remember - more than 60% of the nation's thirty million residents are younger than the age of 25.

Young campaigner Marie Flore Mboussi is desperate for "different faces" as she maintains "prolonged leadership typically causes a type of complacency".

"With 43 years passed, the citizens are weary," she declares.

Young people's joblessness remains a notable discussion topic for nearly all the aspirants participating in the election.

Approximately forty percent of young residents aged from 15 and 35 are jobless, with 23% of young graduates experiencing problems in obtaining formal employment.

Opposition Contenders

Beyond youth unemployment, the election system has also stirred debate, especially with the removal of Maurice Kamto from the presidential race.

The removal, approved by the Constitutional Council, was widely criticised as a tactic to block any significant opposition to the incumbent.

A dozen aspirants were cleared to compete for the country's top job, comprising an ex-government official and Bello Bouba Maigari - each previous Biya allies from the north of the nation.

Voting Difficulties

In Cameroon's Anglophone North-West and Southwest regions, where a protracted rebellion ongoing, an poll avoidance restriction has been enforced, paralysing business activities, transport and schooling.

The separatists who have established it have warned to attack people who casts a ballot.

Since 2017, those working toward a separate nation have been clashing with government forces.

The violence has until now killed at least 6,000 individuals and forced nearly 500,000 others from their homes.

Election Results

After Sunday's vote, the highest court has 15 days to reveal the outcome.

The security chief has earlier advised that no aspirant is authorized to claim success prior to official results.

"Individuals who will seek to declare outcomes of the presidential election or any self-proclaimed victory contrary to the regulations of the republic would have violated boundaries and need to be prepared to face consequences matching their violation."