Can the world's most aged president retain his position and woo a country of youthful electorate?
This world's oldest head of state - 92-year-old Paul Biya - has pledged the nation's electorate "better days are ahead" as he aims for his eighth consecutive presidential term this weekend.
The nonagenarian has stayed in power since 1982 - another seven-year mandate could extend his reign for 50 years reaching almost 100.
Campaign Controversies
He ignored widespread calls to resign and drew backlash for attending just one rally, devoting much of the election season on a week-and-a-half unofficial journey to Europe.
Criticism concerning his use of an AI-generated election advertisement, as his rivals actively wooed supporters directly, saw him rush north upon his arrival.
Youth Population and Joblessness
Consequently for the great bulk of the people, Biya has been the exclusive ruler they remember - over 60% of the nation's thirty million residents are under the quarter century mark.
Youthful political activist Marie Flore Mboussi strongly desires "fresh leadership" as she thinks "prolonged leadership naturally results in a sort of inertia".
"Following four decades, the citizens are weary," she declares.
Young people's joblessness has been a specific talking point for the majority of the aspirants running in the vote.
Nearly forty percent of young citizens between 15 to 35 years are jobless, with twenty-three percent of college-educated youth encountering difficulties in finding regular work.
Opposition Candidates
Apart from young people's job issues, the election system has created controversy, notably concerning the removal of an opposition leader from the leadership competition.
The disqualification, upheld by the Constitutional Council, was widely criticised as a ploy to block any serious competition to President Biya.
Twelve candidates were approved to contest for the leadership position, featuring a former minister and another former ally - both former Biya allies from the north of the country.
Voting Challenges
In Cameroon's Anglophone North-West and Southwest areas, where a long-running separatist conflict persists, an voting prohibition closure has been established, paralysing commercial operations, transport and learning.
The separatists who have imposed it have promised to attack anyone who casts a ballot.
Starting four years ago, those attempting to establish a breakaway state have been clashing with official military.
The conflict has to date caused the deaths of at no fewer than 6,000 lives and compelled approximately 500,000 people from their residences.
Election Results
Once polling concludes, the Constitutional Council has 15 days to announce the findings.
The interior minister has already warned that no candidate is allowed to claim success prior to official results.
"Individuals who will attempt to reveal findings of the presidential election or any unofficial win announcement in violation of the regulations of the republic would have broken rules and need to be prepared to receive retaliatory measures commensurate to their violation."
