Can this world's oldest president retain the position and woo a country of youthful electorate?

This planet's most aged head of state - 92-year-old Paul Biya - has promised the nation's voters "the future holds promise" as he aims for his 8th consecutive term in office this weekend.

The nonagenarian has stayed in office since 1982 - an additional 7-year mandate could keep him in power for half a century making him almost 100.

Campaign Issues

He ignored broad demands to leave office and drew backlash for attending just a single campaign event, devoting much of the political race on a week-and-a-half private trip to the European continent.

Criticism concerning his use of an artificial intelligence created political commercial, as his rivals sought supporters directly, led to his hurried travel to the northern region on his return home.

Young Population and Unemployment

It means that for the vast majority of the population, Biya is the only president they remember - more than sixty percent of the nation's thirty million residents are below the 25 years old.

Youthful political activist Marie Flore Mboussi urgently wants "new blood" as she maintains "longevity in power inevitably leads to a type of inertia".

"With 43 years passed, the population are weary," she declares.

Employment challenges for youth has been a specific discussion topic for nearly all the contenders participating in the political race.

Approximately forty percent of young Cameroonians between 15 to 35 years are unemployed, with 23% of college-educated youth experiencing problems in obtaining regular work.

Opposition Contenders

In addition to youth unemployment, the electoral process has generated dispute, particularly regarding the disqualification of a political rival from the leadership competition.

His exclusion, upheld by the Constitutional Council, was widely criticised as a strategy to block any strong challenge to President Biya.

Twelve aspirants were cleared to contest for the country's top job, featuring Issa Tchiroma Bakary and another former ally - both ex- Biya associates from the north of the nation.

Election Difficulties

Within the nation's English-speaking Northwest and South-West territories, where a extended separatist conflict continues, an poll avoidance closure has been established, paralysing economic functions, movement and schooling.

Insurgents who have imposed it have promised to attack individuals who does vote.

Beginning in 2017, those attempting to establish a separate nation have been battling state security.

The fighting has to date caused the deaths of at minimum six thousand people and compelled nearly half a million people from their homes.

Vote Outcome

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

The security chief has previously cautioned that none of the contenders is permitted to claim success in advance.

"Those who will try to declare outcomes of the leadership vote or any self-proclaimed victory against the laws of the republic would have violated boundaries and must prepare to encounter retaliatory measures matching their crime."