Can this planet's oldest president keep his position and attract a nation of young electorate?
The planet's most aged leader - 92-year-old Paul Biya - has pledged Cameroon's voters "the future holds promise" as he pursues his eighth consecutive presidential term this weekend.
The 92-year-old has stayed in power for over four decades - an additional seven-year term could extend his reign for half a century reaching almost a century old.
Campaign Issues
He resisted widespread calls to step down and has been criticised for making merely one public appearance, using the majority of the campaign period on a ten-day private trip to the European continent.
Criticism concerning his use of an computer-generated election advertisement, as his challengers sought constituents directly, saw him rush to the northern region after coming back.
Youth Population and Joblessness
It means that for the vast majority of the population, Biya remains the sole leader they have known - over 60% of Cameroon's thirty million people are below the 25 years old.
Young advocate Marie Flore Mboussi is desperate for "fresh leadership" as she believes "longevity in power typically causes a sort of inertia".
"With 43 years passed, the people are tired," she states.
Employment challenges for youth has been a particular discussion topic for most of the contenders running in the election.
Almost 40% of youthful residents between 15 and 35 are jobless, with twenty-three percent of recent graduates facing challenges in obtaining formal employment.
Opposition Contenders
Apart from youth unemployment, the election system has generated dispute, particularly regarding the removal of a political rival from the leadership competition.
The removal, approved by the highest court, was widely criticised as a strategy to prevent any serious competition to President Biya.
12 candidates were cleared to compete for the presidency, including an ex-government official and Bello Bouba Maigari - each former Biya associates from the northern region of the country.
Voting Challenges
Within the nation's English-speaking Northwest and Southwest regions, where a extended separatist conflict continues, an election boycott closure has been established, stopping business activities, transport and education.
Insurgents who have enforced it have warned to attack people who casts a ballot.
Since 2017, those seeking to create a independent territory have been fighting state security.
The violence has until now caused the deaths of at least 6,000 people and forced approximately 500,000 residents from their residences.
Vote Outcome
After Sunday's vote, the highest court has 15 days to reveal the findings.
The government official has previously cautioned that no aspirant is authorized to claim success beforehand.
"Individuals who will seek to declare outcomes of the leadership vote or any self-proclaimed victory contrary to the laws of the country would have violated boundaries and need to be prepared to face penalties commensurate to their offense."
