Will the planet's oldest president keep his position and attract a nation of youthful electorate?
This world's oldest leader - 92-year-old Paul Biya - has pledged the nation's electorate "the future holds promise" as he seeks his 8th consecutive term in office this weekend.
The nonagenarian has already been in power since 1982 - another seven-year term could extend his reign for half a century making him almost 100.
Election Controversies
He defied widespread calls to resign and drew backlash for only showing up for a single campaign event, using the majority of the election season on a ten-day personal visit to the European continent.
Negative reaction over his use of an AI-generated election advertisement, as his challengers actively wooed voters directly, led to his hurried travel to the northern region upon his arrival.
Youth Population and Joblessness
It means that for the great bulk of the population, Biya has been the exclusive ruler they experienced - above 60% of the nation's thirty million residents are younger than the quarter century mark.
Young advocate Marie Flore Mboussi urgently wants "fresh leadership" as she believes "prolonged leadership inevitably leads to a type of laziness".
"Following four decades, the people are weary," she says.
Young people's joblessness has been a notable issue of concern for most of the aspirants participating in the political race.
Approximately forty percent of young citizens between 15-35 are jobless, with 23% of young graduates encountering difficulties in finding official jobs.
Opposition Candidates
Apart from young people's job issues, the voting procedure has also stirred controversy, notably concerning the disqualification of a political rival from the election contest.
The removal, upheld by the highest court, was broadly condemned as a ploy to stop any significant opposition to the current leader.
Twelve candidates were authorized to compete for the presidency, comprising an ex-government official and Bello Bouba Maigari - both former Biya colleagues from the north of the nation.
Election Difficulties
Within the nation's Anglophone Northwest and South-West territories, where a extended insurgency ongoing, an voting prohibition restriction has been imposed, halting commercial operations, travel and education.
Rebel groups who have enforced it have promised to harm individuals who casts a ballot.
Beginning in 2017, those seeking to create a breakaway state have been battling official military.
The violence has until now killed at minimum six thousand lives and forced almost five hundred thousand others from their homes.
Election Results
Following the election, the highest court has 15 days to reveal the outcome.
The security chief has previously cautioned that no candidate is permitted to declare victory in advance.
"Candidates who will try to announce results of the political race or any self-proclaimed victory contrary to the regulations of the republic would have crossed the red line and need to be prepared to face consequences matching their offense."
