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The planet's oldest head of state - nonagenarian Paul Biya - has pledged the nation's voters "the future holds promise" as he aims for his eighth consecutive presidential term on Sunday.

The 92-year-old has already been in power for over four decades - another 7-year mandate could see him rule for 50 years reaching almost 100.

Election Issues

He defied widespread calls to resign and drew backlash for attending just one rally, devoting much of the election season on a week-and-a-half personal visit to the European continent.

A backlash regarding his reliance on an AI-generated political commercial, as his rivals sought supporters in person, saw him rush to the northern region after coming back.

Young Voters and Joblessness

It means that for the vast majority of the citizenry, Biya remains the sole leader they remember - over sixty percent of the nation's 30 million inhabitants are below the age of 25.

Young campaigner Marie Flore Mboussi strongly desires "different faces" as she maintains "prolonged leadership naturally results in a kind of inertia".

"Following four decades, the people are tired," she states.

Employment challenges for youth has become a particular discussion topic for most of the aspirants competing in the election.

Approximately 40% of young Cameroonians aged from 15-35 are jobless, with twenty-three percent of college-educated youth experiencing problems in securing official jobs.

Opposition Candidates

In addition to youth unemployment, the electoral process has also stirred dispute, notably concerning the removal of a political rival from the leadership competition.

The removal, upheld by the legal authority, was broadly condemned as a ploy to block any significant opposition to the incumbent.

12 aspirants were authorized to contest for the leadership position, featuring Issa Tchiroma Bakary and a previous supporter - each previous Biya allies from the northern region of the country.

Voting Difficulties

In Cameroon's English-speaking Northwest and Southwest territories, where a long-running rebellion continues, an voting prohibition closure has been imposed, paralysing economic functions, movement and education.

Rebel groups who have imposed it have promised to harm people who casts a ballot.

Starting four years ago, those working toward a breakaway state have been clashing with state security.

The violence has to date killed at least six thousand people and caused almost five hundred thousand residents from their houses.

Election Results

Following the election, the Constitutional Council has two weeks to announce the findings.

The government official has earlier advised that no candidate is authorized to declare victory beforehand.

"Candidates who will try to reveal findings of the leadership vote or any personal declaration of success in violation of the laws of the republic would have crossed the red line and should be ready to encounter penalties appropriate for their crime."