Will the world's most aged leader keep the title and woo a country of youthful electorate?
This planet's oldest leader - 92-year-old Paul Biya - has pledged Cameroon's electorate "the best is still to come" as he aims for his 8th straight presidential term on Sunday.
The 92-year-old has stayed in office for over four decades - an additional seven-year term could keep him in power for 50 years making him almost 100.
Election Controversies
He resisted widespread calls to resign and drew backlash for only showing up for one rally, spending most of the political race on a 10-day personal visit to Europe.
Negative reaction concerning his dependence on an computer-generated campaign video, as his challengers actively wooed supporters directly, led to his hurried travel north upon his arrival.
Young Population and Unemployment
It means that for the great bulk of the population, Biya is the only president they have known - above sixty percent of the nation's 30 million inhabitants are below the quarter century mark.
Young advocate Marie Flore Mboussi is desperate for "new blood" as she thinks "longevity in power typically causes a sort of laziness".
"Following four decades, the citizens are exhausted," she declares.
Young people's joblessness has become a particular discussion topic for nearly all the candidates competing in the election.
Nearly 40% of youthful residents between 15-35 are jobless, with 23% of recent graduates encountering difficulties in finding official jobs.
Rival Contenders
In addition to youth unemployment, the voting procedure has created controversy, especially with the exclusion of Maurice Kamto from the presidential race.
The removal, confirmed by the highest court, was generally denounced as a strategy to stop any strong challenge to President Biya.
12 aspirants were cleared to vie for the presidency, including a former minister and a previous supporter - both ex- Biya associates from the northern region of the country.
Election Difficulties
In Cameroon's English-speaking North-West and Southwest regions, where a extended rebellion ongoing, an voting prohibition closure has been established, halting economic functions, transport and learning.
The separatists who have enforced it have promised to target individuals who casts a ballot.
Beginning in 2017, those attempting to establish a separate nation have been clashing with official military.
The conflict has so far killed at least 6k individuals and forced nearly 500,000 residents from their houses.
Election Results
Following the election, the Constitutional Council has 15 days to announce the outcome.
The government official has already warned that none of the contenders is permitted to claim success beforehand.
"Individuals who will seek to reveal findings of the presidential election or any self-proclaimed victory against the rules of the republic would have crossed the red line and need to be prepared to encounter retaliatory measures appropriate for their violation."
