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This planet's oldest head of state - 92-year-old Paul Biya - has assured the nation's voters "the best is still to come" as he pursues his 8th straight term in office this weekend.

The 92-year-old has remained in power since 1982 - another 7-year term could see him rule for 50 years until he will be almost 100.

Election Issues

He resisted broad demands to leave office and faced criticism for making merely one public appearance, spending most of the election season on a week-and-a-half unofficial journey to the European continent.

A backlash over his reliance on an AI-generated campaign video, as his rivals actively wooed supporters directly, prompted his quick return north upon his arrival.

Young Population and Joblessness

This indicates for the great bulk of the people, Biya remains the sole leader they experienced - more than sixty percent of Cameroon's thirty million people are below the 25 years old.

Youthful campaigner Marie Flore Mboussi urgently wants "fresh leadership" as she thinks "longevity in power naturally results in a sort of laziness".

"With 43 years passed, the population are tired," she says.

Young people's joblessness has become a notable issue of concern for the majority of the candidates participating in the political race.

Nearly forty percent of youthful residents aged from 15 and 35 are without work, with 23% of college-educated youth experiencing problems in obtaining official jobs.

Opposition Candidates

Beyond youth unemployment, the voting procedure has also stirred debate, especially with the disqualification of a political rival from the leadership competition.

His exclusion, upheld by the legal authority, was generally denounced as a tactic to block any significant opposition to the incumbent.

A dozen candidates were approved to vie for the country's top job, comprising Issa Tchiroma Bakary and another former ally - both previous Biya allies from the northern region of the country.

Voting Challenges

In Cameroon's Anglophone North-West and Southwest territories, where a protracted rebellion ongoing, an poll avoidance closure has been enforced, halting business activities, movement and schooling.

The separatists who have imposed it have threatened to harm anyone who casts a ballot.

Since 2017, those working toward a independent territory have been fighting government forces.

The fighting has so far caused the deaths of at no fewer than 6,000 lives and forced almost 500,000 people from their residences.

Election Results

After Sunday's vote, the legal body has 15 days to declare the findings.

The security chief has already warned that no candidate is permitted to claim success prior to official results.

"Individuals who will try to announce results of the political race or any unofficial win announcement contrary to the regulations of the republic would have crossed the red line and must prepare to receive penalties appropriate for their offense."