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This world's oldest head of state - nonagenarian Paul Biya - has pledged the nation's electorate "the best is still to come" as he pursues his 8th straight term in office this weekend.

The elderly leader has stayed in office since 1982 - an additional 7-year term could extend his reign for 50 years making him almost a century old.

Campaign Issues

He ignored broad demands to leave office and faced criticism for attending just one public appearance, devoting much of the election season on a 10-day unofficial journey to the European continent.

A backlash regarding his dependence on an artificial intelligence created election advertisement, as his opponents sought voters in person, prompted his quick return to the northern region upon his arrival.

Young Population and Joblessness

It means that for the large portion of the population, Biya has been the exclusive ruler they experienced - above sixty percent of the nation's 30 million people are below the 25 years old.

Youthful political activist Marie Flore Mboussi is desperate for "fresh leadership" as she maintains "prolonged leadership typically causes a type of laziness".

"After 43 years, the citizens are exhausted," she states.

Youth unemployment has become a specific discussion topic for the majority of the candidates competing in the election.

Approximately 40% of youthful Cameroonians aged from 15 and 35 are unemployed, with 23% of college-educated youth encountering difficulties in finding regular work.

Rival Candidates

Apart from youth unemployment, the voting procedure has generated debate, particularly regarding the exclusion of Maurice Kamto from the election contest.

The removal, approved by the highest court, was broadly condemned as a strategy to stop any significant opposition to President Biya.

12 contenders were approved to contest for the presidency, comprising an ex-government official and Bello Bouba Maigari - the two former Biya allies from the northern region of the country.

Election Challenges

Within the nation's Anglophone North-West and South-West regions, where a long-running rebellion persists, an election boycott lockdown has been established, stopping commercial operations, movement and schooling.

The separatists who have enforced it have threatened to target anyone who does vote.

Since 2017, those seeking to create a separate nation have been clashing with state security.

The violence has until now killed at minimum 6k people and forced nearly 500,000 people from their houses.

Vote Outcome

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

The security chief has previously cautioned that no candidate is authorized to announce winning prior to official results.

"Those who will seek to reveal findings of the political race or any personal declaration of success contrary to the regulations of the republic would have crossed the red line and need to be prepared to face penalties appropriate for their crime."