Can the world's most aged president keep the title and attract a nation of young voters?
The planet's most aged head of state - 92-year-old Paul Biya - has assured Cameroon's electorate "the future holds promise" as he seeks his eighth consecutive presidential term this weekend.
The elderly leader has stayed in office since 1982 - another 7-year mandate could keep him in power for 50 years reaching almost a century old.
Campaign Issues
He resisted broad demands to resign and faced criticism for attending just a single campaign event, spending most of the campaign period on a ten-day personal visit to Europe.
Negative reaction over his reliance on an computer-generated political commercial, as his opponents courted voters in person, prompted his quick return to the northern region after coming back.
Young Population and Unemployment
Consequently for the large portion of the population, Biya remains the sole leader they have known - more than sixty percent of the nation's thirty million people are younger than the 25 years old.
Youthful advocate Marie Flore Mboussi is desperate for "different faces" as she thinks "prolonged leadership naturally results in a kind of inertia".
"With 43 years passed, the people are exhausted," she declares.
Youth unemployment has become a notable issue of concern for the majority of the contenders participating in the political race.
Approximately forty percent of youthful Cameroonians between 15-35 are without work, with 23% of college-educated youth experiencing problems in securing regular work.
Opposition Contenders
Beyond youth unemployment, the electoral process has generated debate, particularly regarding the exclusion of a political rival from the presidential race.
His exclusion, approved by the legal authority, was broadly condemned as a ploy to prevent any strong challenge to the incumbent.
Twelve candidates were approved to compete for the country's top job, comprising Issa Tchiroma Bakary and another former ally - the two ex- Biya associates from the north of the country.
Voting Difficulties
Within the nation's Anglophone North-West and South-West areas, where a extended rebellion persists, an poll avoidance lockdown has been established, paralysing business activities, transport and learning.
Rebel groups who have established it have warned to target people who casts a ballot.
Starting four years ago, those seeking to create a separate nation have been fighting government forces.
The conflict has until now resulted in at minimum 6,000 people and caused almost half a million others from their houses.
Vote Outcome
Once polling concludes, the highest court has 15 days to declare the results.
The security chief has previously cautioned that no candidate is authorized to claim success in advance.
"Individuals who will attempt to announce results of the leadership vote or any self-proclaimed victory contrary to the rules of the republic would have violated boundaries and should be ready to face penalties commensurate to their violation."
