Will the planet's most aged leader keep the position and attract a nation of youthful electorate?

This world's most aged leader - 92-year-old Paul Biya - has promised Cameroon's voters "the best is still to come" as he seeks his 8th straight presidential term on Sunday.

The elderly leader has stayed in power since 1982 - another seven-year mandate could see him rule for 50 years reaching almost a century old.

Campaign Issues

He ignored broad demands to leave office and has been criticised for only showing up for one public appearance, spending most of the campaign period on a 10-day unofficial journey to Europe.

A backlash concerning his reliance on an AI-generated campaign video, as his challengers courted supporters directly, led to his hurried travel north upon his arrival.

Youth Population and Unemployment

It means that for the large portion of the citizenry, Biya remains the sole leader they have known - over 60% of the nation's 30 million people are below the 25 years old.

Young advocate Marie Flore Mboussi strongly desires "fresh leadership" as she believes "extended rule naturally results in a kind of inertia".

"After 43 years, the people are exhausted," she states.

Employment challenges for youth remains a notable issue of concern for the majority of the candidates competing in the election.

Nearly 40% of young residents aged from 15-35 are without work, with 23% of college-educated youth experiencing problems in obtaining regular work.

Opposition Candidates

In addition to youth unemployment, the election system has generated controversy, especially with the removal of a political rival from the presidential race.

The removal, approved by the Constitutional Council, was broadly condemned as a ploy to stop any strong challenge to the current leader.

Twelve aspirants were approved to compete for the country's top job, featuring a former minister and another former ally - the two previous Biya associates from the north of the nation.

Voting Challenges

In Cameroon's Anglophone North-West and South-West territories, where a long-running rebellion persists, an voting prohibition lockdown has been imposed, halting economic functions, travel and schooling.

The separatists who have established it have promised to attack individuals who does vote.

Beginning in 2017, those seeking to create a breakaway state have been clashing with state security.

The conflict has so far caused the deaths of at no fewer than 6,000 people and caused approximately half a million residents from their residences.

Election Results

After Sunday's vote, the Constitutional Council has 15 days to reveal the results.

The interior minister has previously cautioned that no candidate is permitted to claim success prior to official results.

"Those who will seek to reveal findings of the presidential election or any personal declaration of success in violation of the regulations of the nation would have broken rules and must prepare to face penalties matching their violation."