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This planet's most aged leader - 92-year-old Paul Biya - has pledged Cameroon's electorate "the best is still to come" as he pursues his eighth straight presidential term this weekend.

The 92-year-old has remained in power for over four decades - an additional 7-year term could see him rule for half a century until he will be almost a century old.

Election Issues

He ignored broad demands to resign and drew backlash for only showing up for one public appearance, using the majority of the election season on a week-and-a-half personal visit to the European continent.

A backlash regarding his dependence on an artificial intelligence created political commercial, as his rivals actively wooed voters directly, led to his hurried travel north upon his arrival.

Youth Population and Joblessness

Consequently for the great bulk of the people, Biya is the only president they experienced - above sixty percent of the nation's 30 million people are under the 25 years old.

Young political activist Marie Flore Mboussi is desperate for "new blood" as she believes "longevity in power inevitably leads to a kind of laziness".

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

Youth unemployment has been a notable talking point for the majority of the aspirants running in the vote.

Nearly 40% of young citizens between 15-35 are unemployed, with twenty-three percent of college-educated youth encountering difficulties in finding formal employment.

Rival Contenders

Beyond youth unemployment, the electoral process has created debate, especially with the disqualification of Maurice Kamto from the presidential race.

The removal, approved by the highest court, was widely criticised as a ploy to block any significant opposition to the current leader.

Twelve contenders were cleared to contest for the leadership position, comprising Issa Tchiroma Bakary and another former ally - each previous Biya colleagues from the northern region of the nation.

Voting Challenges

Within the nation's English-speaking North-West and Southwest areas, where a protracted rebellion ongoing, an poll avoidance closure has been imposed, stopping economic functions, movement and learning.

Insurgents who have imposed it have promised to target people who participates.

Since 2017, those attempting to establish a separate nation have been fighting state security.

The conflict has to date killed at minimum 6,000 lives and caused approximately five hundred thousand people from their residences.

Election Results

Once polling concludes, the legal body has two weeks to declare the findings.

The interior minister has previously cautioned that no candidate is permitted to announce winning prior to official results.

"Individuals who will try to reveal findings of the leadership vote or any unofficial win announcement in violation of the laws of the republic would have broken rules and should be ready to receive penalties commensurate to their violation."