Will the planet's most aged president retain his position and woo a nation of youthful voters?
This planet's oldest leader - 92-year-old Paul Biya - has assured Cameroon's electorate "the best is still to come" as he pursues his eighth straight presidential term this weekend.
The nonagenarian has stayed in office since 1982 - an additional seven-year mandate could keep him in power for half a century until he will be almost 100.
Campaign Issues
He resisted widespread calls to leave office and faced criticism for attending just one rally, spending most of the political race on a week-and-a-half personal visit to the European continent.
Negative reaction regarding his use of an artificial intelligence created campaign video, as his opponents actively wooed voters in person, prompted his quick return to the northern region upon his arrival.
Young Voters and Unemployment
Consequently for the great bulk of the population, Biya is the only president they remember - more than 60% of Cameroon's 30 million residents are under the 25 years old.
Youthful campaigner Marie Flore Mboussi is desperate for "different faces" as she thinks "longevity in power typically causes a kind of inertia".
"After 43 years, the citizens are tired," she declares.
Youth unemployment has been a particular discussion topic for the majority of the candidates competing in the political race.
Almost forty percent of young citizens between 15-35 are jobless, with 23% of young graduates encountering difficulties in finding formal employment.
Opposition Candidates
Beyond youth unemployment, the election system has generated debate, notably concerning the disqualification of Maurice Kamto from the election contest.
The removal, approved by the highest court, was generally denounced as a strategy to prevent any significant opposition to the incumbent.
Twelve candidates were authorized to vie for the country's top job, featuring an ex-government official and a previous supporter - the two ex- Biya colleagues from the north of the country.
Voting Challenges
In Cameroon's English-speaking Northwest and South-West regions, where a extended separatist conflict ongoing, an poll avoidance lockdown has been imposed, stopping business activities, travel and schooling.
The separatists who have enforced it have threatened to target anyone who does vote.
Starting four years ago, those seeking to create a independent territory have been clashing with government forces.
The conflict has so far resulted in at minimum six thousand people and forced nearly half a million people from their homes.
Vote Outcome
Following the election, the legal body has 15 days to declare the outcome.
The interior minister has already warned that no aspirant is authorized to announce winning in advance.
"Candidates who will seek to reveal findings of the leadership vote or any personal declaration of success in violation of the rules of the nation would have violated boundaries and need to be prepared to face consequences appropriate for their offense."
