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The world's most aged head of state - nonagenarian Paul Biya - has pledged the nation's voters "the best is still to come" as he aims for his 8th consecutive term in office this weekend.

The nonagenarian has stayed in office since 1982 - an additional seven-year term could extend his reign for 50 years until he will be almost 100.

Election Issues

He defied widespread calls to leave office and drew backlash for only showing up for one rally, spending most of the election season on a week-and-a-half private trip to Europe.

A backlash concerning his dependence on an AI-generated political commercial, as his rivals sought constituents on the ground, saw him rush to the northern region after coming back.

Young Voters and Unemployment

Consequently for the large portion of the population, Biya has been the exclusive ruler they have known - over sixty percent of the nation's thirty million people are under the age of 25.

Young political activist Marie Flore Mboussi strongly desires "new blood" as she believes "extended rule typically causes a kind of laziness".

"Following four decades, the citizens are weary," she declares.

Youth unemployment has been a notable issue of concern for most of the aspirants running in the vote.

Almost 40% of youthful Cameroonians aged from 15-35 are without work, with twenty-three percent of college-educated youth facing challenges in finding formal employment.

Rival Contenders

Beyond youth unemployment, the electoral process has also stirred debate, especially with the removal of Maurice Kamto from the presidential race.

The disqualification, upheld by the Constitutional Council, was broadly condemned as a ploy to block any strong challenge to President Biya.

A dozen contenders were approved to compete for the country's top job, including a former minister and another former ally - both ex- Biya associates from the north of the country.

Election Challenges

Within the nation's Anglophone North-West and South-West regions, where a long-running rebellion ongoing, an voting prohibition restriction has been imposed, halting commercial operations, travel and learning.

The separatists who have established it have promised to harm anyone who does vote.

Beginning in 2017, those attempting to establish a breakaway state have been fighting state security.

The violence has to date caused the deaths of at least 6,000 people and forced approximately 500,000 others from their houses.

Vote Outcome

After Sunday's vote, the legal body has fifteen days to declare the outcome.

The interior minister has previously cautioned that none of the contenders is permitted to announce winning beforehand.

"Individuals who will try to declare outcomes of the leadership vote or any personal declaration of success contrary to the regulations of the republic would have crossed the red line and must prepare to face penalties matching their violation."