Will the world's oldest president keep his position and attract a nation of young voters?

The world's oldest leader - nonagenarian Paul Biya - has assured the nation's electorate "the future holds promise" as he aims for his eighth straight term in office on Sunday.

The 92-year-old has remained in power since 1982 - another seven-year term could extend his reign for 50 years making him almost a century old.

Campaign Controversies

He resisted widespread calls to leave office and faced criticism for making merely one rally, devoting much of the election season on a week-and-a-half personal visit to the European continent.

Criticism regarding his use of an AI-generated campaign video, as his rivals sought constituents in person, led to his hurried travel to the northern region upon his arrival.

Young Population and Unemployment

This indicates for the great bulk of the citizenry, Biya is the only president they have known - above 60% of the nation's 30 million residents are younger than the quarter century mark.

Youthful campaigner Marie Flore Mboussi urgently wants "new blood" as she thinks "prolonged leadership inevitably leads to a type of complacency".

"With 43 years passed, the population are weary," she states.

Employment challenges for youth remains a specific issue of concern for most of the candidates competing in the political race.

Nearly 40% of youthful Cameroonians aged from 15 to 35 years are jobless, with 23% of college-educated youth experiencing problems in securing regular work.

Rival Contenders

In addition to young people's job issues, the voting procedure has also stirred debate, notably concerning the exclusion of Maurice Kamto from the leadership competition.

His exclusion, confirmed by the highest court, was broadly condemned as a ploy to stop any serious competition to President Biya.

12 contenders were approved to compete for the presidency, including Issa Tchiroma Bakary and another former ally - both former Biya allies from the northern region of the nation.

Voting Difficulties

Within the nation's Anglophone Northwest and South-West territories, where a protracted separatist conflict ongoing, an poll avoidance restriction has been enforced, stopping business activities, travel and schooling.

Insurgents who have enforced it have threatened to target individuals who casts a ballot.

Beginning in 2017, those seeking to create a independent territory have been fighting government forces.

The fighting has so far resulted in at no fewer than six thousand lives and caused nearly 500,000 residents from their homes.

Election Results

After Sunday's vote, the highest court has fifteen days to reveal the findings.

The interior minister has already warned that no aspirant is permitted to declare victory in advance.

"Individuals who will seek to announce results of the political race or any self-proclaimed victory against the rules of the nation would have broken rules and need to be prepared to receive consequences matching their violation."