Will this world's oldest leader keep his title and attract a country of youthful voters?
This world's most aged head of state - 92-year-old Paul Biya - has assured the nation's voters "the best is still to come" as he pursues his eighth consecutive presidential term this weekend.
The 92-year-old has stayed in office since 1982 - an additional 7-year term could keep him in power for half a century making him almost a century old.
Election Controversies
He ignored numerous appeals to leave office and has been criticised for making merely one rally, using the majority of the campaign period on a ten-day private trip to the European continent.
Criticism regarding his dependence on an AI-generated election advertisement, as his rivals courted supporters directly, saw him rush north after coming back.
Young Population and Joblessness
Consequently for the large portion of the population, Biya remains the sole leader they have known - over 60% of Cameroon's 30 million inhabitants are below the quarter century mark.
Youthful campaigner Marie Flore Mboussi is desperate for "different faces" as she maintains "extended rule naturally results in a type of laziness".
"With 43 years passed, the citizens are weary," she states.
Employment challenges for youth has become a particular discussion topic for the majority of the candidates participating in the political race.
Nearly 40% of youthful residents between 15 and 35 are jobless, with 23% of recent graduates experiencing problems in obtaining formal employment.
Opposition Contenders
In addition to youth unemployment, the electoral process has also stirred dispute, especially with the removal of an opposition leader from the presidential race.
The removal, confirmed by the highest court, was broadly condemned as a ploy to block any serious competition to President Biya.
12 contenders were cleared to vie for the leadership position, comprising a former minister and another former ally - both previous Biya colleagues from the north of the nation.
Voting Difficulties
Within the nation's English-speaking Northwest and Southwest territories, where a extended rebellion ongoing, an poll avoidance lockdown has been enforced, paralysing commercial operations, transport and education.
The separatists who have enforced it have promised to target anyone who does vote.
Starting four years ago, those seeking to create a independent territory have been clashing with state security.
The fighting has so far caused the deaths of at least six thousand individuals and caused approximately five hundred thousand people from their houses.
Vote Outcome
After Sunday's vote, the Constitutional Council has fifteen days to declare the findings.
The government official has previously cautioned that no candidate is allowed to announce winning prior to official results.
"Candidates who will attempt to declare outcomes of the political race or any unofficial win announcement against the laws of the republic would have broken rules and must prepare to encounter consequences appropriate for their offense."
