Will this planet's oldest leader retain the title and attract a country of young electorate?

The world's most aged leader - 92-year-old Paul Biya - has assured Cameroon's voters "the best is still to come" as he aims for his eighth straight term in office on Sunday.

The 92-year-old has remained in office since 1982 - another seven-year mandate could keep him in power for half a century until he will be almost a century old.

Campaign Controversies

He ignored numerous appeals to resign and faced criticism for making merely a single campaign event, devoting much of the election season on a 10-day private trip to the European continent.

A backlash concerning his use of an computer-generated campaign video, as his opponents courted constituents on the ground, prompted his quick return north on his return home.

Youth Population and Joblessness

It means that for the vast majority of the citizenry, Biya remains the sole leader they remember - over 60% of the nation's 30 million people are younger than the 25 years old.

Youthful advocate Marie Flore Mboussi is desperate for "new blood" as she thinks "longevity in power naturally results in a type of inertia".

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

Young people's joblessness has been a specific discussion topic for the majority of the candidates participating in the election.

Approximately 40% of youthful citizens between 15 to 35 years are jobless, with twenty-three percent of young graduates experiencing problems in securing regular work.

Rival Contenders

In addition to young people's job issues, the voting procedure has generated controversy, particularly regarding the disqualification of a political rival from the leadership competition.

The removal, upheld by the Constitutional Council, was widely criticised as a ploy to block any strong challenge to the incumbent.

12 aspirants were authorized to vie for the country's top job, including Issa Tchiroma Bakary and Bello Bouba Maigari - each former Biya allies from the northern region of the country.

Election Difficulties

Within the nation's English-speaking Northwest and South-West territories, where a protracted rebellion ongoing, an election boycott closure has been established, paralysing commercial operations, travel and schooling.

Rebel groups who have established it have threatened to target anyone who does vote.

Since 2017, those working toward a independent territory have been fighting state security.

The conflict has to date resulted in at no fewer than 6,000 people and forced almost five hundred thousand people from their residences.

Vote Outcome

Once polling concludes, the legal body has two weeks to announce the results.

The security chief has earlier advised that none of the contenders is permitted to declare victory in advance.

"Individuals who will try to reveal findings of the leadership vote or any personal declaration of success contrary to the laws of the nation would have broken rules and must prepare to encounter penalties appropriate for their offense."