Will the world's most aged president keep his position and attract a nation of youthful voters?
This planet's oldest leader - nonagenarian Paul Biya - has pledged Cameroon's electorate "the future holds promise" as he seeks his eighth consecutive term in office this weekend.
The 92-year-old has stayed in office since 1982 - another seven-year term could keep him in power for half a century until he will be almost 100.
Campaign Issues
He ignored broad demands to step down and has been criticised for making merely one public appearance, devoting much of the campaign period on a 10-day personal visit to the European continent.
Negative reaction concerning his dependence on an artificial intelligence created campaign video, as his challengers actively wooed constituents directly, saw him rush north upon his arrival.
Young Voters and Joblessness
It means that for the vast majority of the population, Biya is the only president they remember - over sixty percent of Cameroon's 30 million residents are below the 25 years old.
Young advocate Marie Flore Mboussi is desperate for "new blood" as she maintains "longevity in power typically causes a sort of complacency".
"Following four decades, the people are tired," she declares.
Young people's joblessness has become a specific talking point for nearly all the aspirants competing in the vote.
Nearly 40% of young residents between 15 and 35 are unemployed, with twenty-three percent of recent graduates experiencing problems in finding official jobs.
Opposition Candidates
Apart from youth unemployment, the voting procedure has created dispute, particularly regarding the exclusion of Maurice Kamto from the leadership competition.
The disqualification, confirmed by the highest court, was broadly condemned as a strategy to stop any significant opposition to President Biya.
A dozen candidates were approved to vie for the country's top job, featuring a former minister and a previous supporter - the two ex- Biya colleagues from the northern region of the nation.
Election Difficulties
In Cameroon's English-speaking Northwest and Southwest areas, where a long-running insurgency ongoing, an poll avoidance lockdown has been enforced, halting commercial operations, movement and schooling.
Insurgents who have imposed it have threatened to target people who does vote.
Starting four years ago, those working toward a breakaway state have been clashing with official military.
The violence has so far resulted in at no fewer than six thousand people and compelled approximately five hundred thousand others from their residences.
Election Results
After Sunday's vote, the highest court has 15 days to reveal the outcome.
The security chief has earlier advised that none of the contenders is authorized to claim success beforehand.
"Individuals who will seek to declare outcomes of the presidential election or any personal declaration of success in violation of the rules of the country would have violated boundaries and need to be prepared to receive penalties appropriate for their crime."
