Can this world's most aged president retain his position and woo a nation of young electorate?
This planet's oldest leader - 92-year-old Paul Biya - has promised Cameroon's electorate "the future holds promise" as he seeks his 8th consecutive term in office on Sunday.
The nonagenarian has remained in power since 1982 - another 7-year mandate could see him rule for half a century until he will be almost a century old.
Campaign Controversies
He resisted numerous appeals to step down and faced criticism for only showing up for a single campaign event, devoting much of the campaign period on a ten-day unofficial journey to Europe.
A backlash over his reliance on an artificial intelligence created campaign video, as his opponents actively wooed constituents in person, prompted his quick return north after coming back.
Young Voters and Unemployment
This indicates for the large portion of the people, Biya remains the sole leader they experienced - above 60% of Cameroon's thirty million people are under the 25 years old.
Young advocate Marie Flore Mboussi is desperate for "fresh leadership" as she maintains "longevity in power typically causes a sort of laziness".
"With 43 years passed, the citizens are exhausted," she says.
Youth unemployment has been a particular issue of concern for the majority of the contenders running in the election.
Nearly 40% of young Cameroonians aged from 15-35 are jobless, with 23% of recent graduates experiencing problems in finding formal employment.
Rival Contenders
Apart from youth unemployment, the election system has created dispute, particularly regarding the exclusion of Maurice Kamto from the leadership competition.
His exclusion, upheld by the Constitutional Council, was broadly condemned as a strategy to stop any significant opposition to President Biya.
12 aspirants were approved to compete for the presidency, featuring an ex-government official and Bello Bouba Maigari - the two former Biya associates from the north of the country.
Voting Challenges
Within the nation's English-speaking North-West and South-West territories, where a extended rebellion ongoing, an poll avoidance lockdown has been established, stopping commercial operations, movement and education.
The separatists who have enforced it have promised to attack individuals who does vote.
Starting four years ago, those working toward a separate nation have been clashing with state security.
The fighting has so far caused the deaths of at least six thousand lives and compelled almost five hundred thousand residents from their residences.
Vote Outcome
Once polling concludes, the legal body has two weeks to reveal the findings.
The security chief has previously cautioned that none of the contenders is allowed to announce winning prior to official results.
"Candidates who will attempt to reveal findings of the presidential election or any self-proclaimed victory against the regulations of the nation would have violated boundaries and should be ready to encounter retaliatory measures commensurate to their violation."
