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The world's most aged leader - 92-year-old Paul Biya - has assured the nation's electorate "better days are ahead" as he seeks his 8th consecutive presidential term on Sunday.

The elderly leader has remained in power since 1982 - another seven-year mandate could keep him in power for 50 years until he will be almost a century old.

Campaign Controversies

He defied broad demands to step down and has been criticised for attending just one rally, spending most of the political race on a week-and-a-half personal visit to Europe.

A backlash over his dependence on an artificial intelligence created election advertisement, as his opponents courted constituents directly, saw him rush north after coming back.

Young Population and Unemployment

Consequently for the great bulk of the people, Biya remains the sole leader they experienced - over sixty percent of Cameroon's 30 million people are under the 25 years old.

Young political activist Marie Flore Mboussi strongly desires "fresh leadership" as she thinks "extended rule inevitably leads to a type of laziness".

"Following four decades, the population are tired," she declares.

Employment challenges for youth has been a specific discussion topic for the majority of the aspirants participating in the vote.

Approximately forty percent of young residents between 15 to 35 years are unemployed, with 23% of college-educated youth encountering difficulties in finding official jobs.

Opposition Candidates

Apart from youth unemployment, the electoral process has generated dispute, notably concerning the removal of a political rival from the election contest.

The removal, confirmed by the legal authority, was broadly condemned as a tactic to stop any strong challenge to President Biya.

12 contenders were cleared to vie for the leadership position, including a former minister and Bello Bouba Maigari - each former Biya allies from the northern region of the nation.

Election Difficulties

In Cameroon's English-speaking North-West and Southwest areas, where a protracted insurgency ongoing, an poll avoidance restriction has been imposed, halting commercial operations, transport and learning.

Rebel groups who have imposed it have promised to target individuals who casts a ballot.

Since 2017, those attempting to establish a independent territory have been fighting official military.

The fighting has to date killed at least 6k lives and caused nearly five hundred thousand residents from their residences.

Election Results

Once polling concludes, the Constitutional Council has 15 days to reveal the results.

The government official has previously cautioned that no aspirant is allowed to announce winning in advance.

"Candidates who will attempt to announce results of the leadership vote or any unofficial win announcement in violation of the laws of the republic would have crossed the red line and should be ready to receive penalties commensurate to their violation."