Will this world's most aged president keep his position and woo a country of youthful electorate?
The planet's oldest leader - nonagenarian Paul Biya - has assured Cameroon's voters "the best is still to come" as he aims for his 8th straight presidential term this weekend.
The elderly leader has remained in office since 1982 - another 7-year term could extend his reign for 50 years until he will be almost 100.
Election Controversies
He resisted numerous appeals to step down and faced criticism for making merely one rally, spending most of the campaign period on a week-and-a-half personal visit to Europe.
Criticism over his dependence on an computer-generated political commercial, as his challengers sought voters on the ground, led to his hurried travel north upon his arrival.
Young Voters and Unemployment
It means that for the great bulk of the population, Biya is the only president they experienced - more than sixty percent of Cameroon's 30 million people are younger than the age of 25.
Youthful campaigner Marie Flore Mboussi is desperate for "fresh leadership" as she believes "longevity in power inevitably leads to a kind of complacency".
"With 43 years passed, the citizens are exhausted," she says.
Young people's joblessness has been a notable issue of concern for most of the aspirants participating in the political race.
Nearly forty percent of youthful residents aged from 15 and 35 are unemployed, with twenty-three percent of recent graduates encountering difficulties in securing official jobs.
Opposition Candidates
In addition to youth unemployment, the voting procedure has generated controversy, particularly regarding the disqualification of an opposition leader from the leadership competition.
The disqualification, approved by the highest court, was generally denounced as a tactic to prevent any serious competition to the current leader.
A dozen aspirants were approved to vie for the presidency, featuring Issa Tchiroma Bakary and Bello Bouba Maigari - both former Biya allies from the north of the nation.
Election Difficulties
In Cameroon's Anglophone North-West and South-West areas, where a extended insurgency ongoing, an voting prohibition lockdown has been imposed, stopping commercial operations, travel and education.
The separatists who have enforced it have promised to target anyone who participates.
Starting four years ago, those working toward a independent territory have been clashing with state security.
The conflict has until now resulted in at least 6,000 individuals and forced nearly half a million others from their homes.
Election Results
Following the election, the Constitutional Council has 15 days to declare the results.
The government official has already warned that no candidate is permitted to announce winning in advance.
"Individuals who will seek to announce results of the leadership vote or any personal declaration of success against the laws of the republic would have crossed the red line and should be ready to face retaliatory measures matching their violation."
