Will the world's oldest leader retain his title and attract a country of youthful voters?
The world's oldest leader - nonagenarian Paul Biya - has promised Cameroon's electorate "the future holds promise" as he aims for his 8th straight term in office on Sunday.
The 92-year-old has already been in office since 1982 - an additional seven-year term could extend his reign for 50 years reaching almost a century old.
Election Controversies
He defied numerous appeals to step down and faced criticism for making merely one rally, devoting much of the political race on a week-and-a-half personal visit to Europe.
A backlash concerning his use of an artificial intelligence created political commercial, as his opponents actively wooed voters directly, saw him rush north after coming back.
Youth Voters and Unemployment
Consequently for the great bulk of the population, Biya remains the sole leader they have known - above sixty percent of the nation's thirty million inhabitants are younger than the age of 25.
Youthful political activist Marie Flore Mboussi strongly desires "different faces" as she maintains "extended rule naturally results in a sort of laziness".
"With 43 years passed, the people are exhausted," she states.
Youth unemployment has been a notable talking point for the majority of the candidates competing in the political race.
Almost 40% of young residents aged from 15-35 are without work, with 23% of college-educated youth experiencing problems in securing regular work.
Rival Candidates
Beyond young people's job issues, the voting procedure has created dispute, especially with the exclusion of Maurice Kamto from the leadership competition.
The disqualification, upheld by the Constitutional Council, was widely criticised as a ploy to prevent any significant opposition to the current leader.
A dozen contenders were authorized to contest for the presidency, including Issa Tchiroma Bakary and a previous supporter - the two former Biya associates from the northern region of the country.
Voting Difficulties
Within the nation's Anglophone Northwest and Southwest regions, where a protracted rebellion ongoing, an poll avoidance closure has been enforced, halting economic functions, transport and learning.
Rebel groups who have enforced it have warned to harm anyone who casts a ballot.
Since 2017, those attempting to establish a breakaway state have been fighting state security.
The conflict has so far resulted in at minimum 6,000 lives and compelled almost 500,000 residents from their homes.
Election Results
After Sunday's vote, the highest court has 15 days to reveal the findings.
The security chief has previously cautioned that no candidate is authorized to claim success prior to official results.
"Individuals who will try to declare outcomes of the presidential election or any self-proclaimed victory against the rules of the nation would have crossed the red line and must prepare to face penalties commensurate to their violation."