Can the world's oldest president keep his position and attract a country of youthful electorate?
This planet's oldest leader - 92-year-old Paul Biya - has assured the nation's electorate "the future holds promise" as he aims for his 8th consecutive presidential term this weekend.
The nonagenarian has already been in office since 1982 - an additional seven-year term could see him rule for 50 years until he will be almost 100.
Election Issues
He resisted widespread calls to resign and drew backlash for attending just one public appearance, spending most of the election season on a ten-day private trip to the European continent.
Negative reaction concerning his use of an artificial intelligence created campaign video, as his rivals sought supporters in person, saw him rush to the northern region upon his arrival.
Youth Population and Joblessness
It means that for the large portion of the people, Biya has been the exclusive ruler they remember - above 60% of the nation's 30 million inhabitants are younger than the age of 25.
Young campaigner Marie Flore Mboussi urgently wants "different faces" as she maintains "extended rule inevitably leads to a type of complacency".
"After 43 years, the citizens are weary," she says.
Youth unemployment has been a particular issue of concern for nearly all the aspirants competing in the vote.
Nearly forty percent of youthful residents aged from 15 to 35 years are without work, with 23% of recent graduates encountering difficulties in securing regular work.
Opposition Candidates
In addition to youth unemployment, the election system has generated controversy, especially with the exclusion of a political rival from the presidential race.
His exclusion, confirmed by the highest court, was broadly condemned as a strategy to block any strong challenge to the incumbent.
Twelve candidates were cleared to vie for the leadership position, including an ex-government official and another former ally - both previous Biya colleagues from the north of the nation.
Voting Challenges
In Cameroon's English-speaking Northwest and Southwest areas, where a long-running rebellion continues, an election boycott lockdown has been established, paralysing economic functions, transport and schooling.
Insurgents who have imposed it have promised to target anyone who participates.
Beginning in 2017, those working toward a independent territory have been clashing with state security.
The violence has until now caused the deaths of at no fewer than 6,000 lives and caused almost half a million others from their houses.
Election Results
Following the election, the highest court has fifteen days to announce the results.
The security chief has previously cautioned that none of the contenders is allowed to announce winning beforehand.
"Candidates who will attempt to announce results of the leadership vote or any self-proclaimed victory contrary to the laws of the republic would have violated boundaries and should be ready to encounter consequences appropriate for their offense."
