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This world's most aged leader - 92-year-old Paul Biya - has promised Cameroon's voters "the future holds promise" as he seeks his eighth consecutive presidential term this weekend.

The 92-year-old has already been in power for over four decades - another 7-year term could extend his reign for half a century making him almost 100.

Election Controversies

He ignored broad demands to resign and drew backlash for making merely a single campaign event, devoting much of the political race on a week-and-a-half personal visit to the European continent.

A backlash concerning his use of an AI-generated political commercial, as his challengers courted constituents in person, prompted his quick return north upon his arrival.

Youth Population and Unemployment

This indicates for the large portion of the population, Biya is the only president they have known - more than sixty percent of Cameroon's 30 million residents are younger than the quarter century mark.

Young campaigner Marie Flore Mboussi strongly desires "new blood" as she believes "extended rule inevitably leads to a kind of inertia".

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

Employment challenges for youth has been a notable issue of concern for most of the candidates participating in the political race.

Almost 40% of young citizens between 15-35 are jobless, with 23% of college-educated youth experiencing problems in securing formal employment.

Rival Contenders

Beyond youth unemployment, the election system has created controversy, especially with the disqualification of an opposition leader from the leadership competition.

His exclusion, upheld by the legal authority, was broadly condemned as a strategy to prevent any strong challenge to the incumbent.

A dozen aspirants were authorized to compete for the leadership position, comprising Issa Tchiroma Bakary and Bello Bouba Maigari - each previous Biya colleagues from the north of the nation.

Voting Challenges

In Cameroon's Anglophone North-West and South-West areas, where a extended separatist conflict persists, an poll avoidance closure has been enforced, stopping commercial operations, travel and education.

Rebel groups who have enforced it have promised to harm people who participates.

Starting four years ago, those working toward a independent territory have been fighting government forces.

The conflict has until now killed at no fewer than 6,000 individuals and forced approximately five hundred thousand residents from their residences.

Election Results

Following the election, the Constitutional Council has 15 days to announce the findings.

The security chief has earlier advised that no aspirant is allowed to declare victory in advance.

"Candidates who will seek to reveal findings of the presidential election or any personal declaration of success in violation of the laws of the republic would have broken rules and must prepare to receive penalties commensurate to their offense."