Will this planet's most aged president keep his title and attract a nation of youthful voters?
This world's oldest head of state - 92-year-old Paul Biya - has pledged the nation's voters "the best is still to come" as he aims for his eighth consecutive term in office this weekend.
The elderly leader has stayed in office since 1982 - an additional 7-year term could keep him in power for 50 years reaching almost 100.
Campaign Controversies
He ignored widespread calls to leave office and faced criticism for making merely a single campaign event, spending most of the election season on a week-and-a-half private trip to Europe.
Criticism concerning his use of an artificial intelligence created political commercial, as his rivals actively wooed voters directly, saw him rush north upon his arrival.
Youth Voters and Unemployment
It means that for the vast majority of the population, Biya is the only president they have known - more than 60% of the nation's 30 million people are below the quarter century mark.
Young campaigner Marie Flore Mboussi is desperate for "different faces" as she maintains "extended rule typically causes a type of inertia".
"Following four decades, the population are weary," she states.
Young people's joblessness has been a particular issue of concern for nearly all the aspirants running in the political race.
Approximately 40% of youthful Cameroonians aged from 15-35 are unemployed, with 23% of college-educated youth experiencing problems in securing official jobs.
Rival Contenders
Beyond young people's job issues, the voting procedure has also stirred dispute, especially with the removal of a political rival from the presidential race.
The removal, confirmed by the Constitutional Council, was broadly condemned as a tactic to stop any serious competition to President Biya.
12 contenders were authorized to vie for the leadership position, featuring Issa Tchiroma Bakary and another former ally - both previous Biya associates from the north of the nation.
Election Challenges
Within the nation's English-speaking North-West and Southwest areas, where a protracted separatist conflict persists, an voting prohibition restriction has been enforced, halting business activities, movement and schooling.
The separatists who have established it have promised to target anyone who casts a ballot.
Beginning in 2017, those working toward a independent territory have been clashing with state security.
The conflict has so far killed at no fewer than 6k lives and forced almost 500,000 others from their homes.
Election Results
Once polling concludes, the Constitutional Council has fifteen days to reveal the results.
The security chief has already warned that none of the contenders is permitted to declare victory in advance.
"Individuals who will attempt to announce results of the presidential election or any unofficial win announcement against the regulations of the country would have broken rules and must prepare to encounter penalties matching their violation."
