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This planet's oldest head of state - nonagenarian Paul Biya - has promised the nation's voters "better days are ahead" as he seeks his 8th consecutive term in office this weekend.

The elderly leader has stayed in power since 1982 - another seven-year term could see him rule for half a century until he will be almost a century old.

Election Controversies

He ignored widespread calls to resign and drew backlash for making merely a single campaign event, using the majority of the election season on a ten-day unofficial journey to Europe.

Negative reaction concerning his dependence on an AI-generated election advertisement, as his opponents sought supporters on the ground, led to his hurried travel north on his return home.

Young Population and Joblessness

This indicates for the great bulk of the citizenry, Biya has been the exclusive ruler they experienced - more than sixty percent of Cameroon's 30 million people are younger than the 25 years old.

Young political activist Marie Flore Mboussi urgently wants "fresh leadership" as she thinks "prolonged leadership typically causes a sort of inertia".

"After 43 years, the people are tired," she declares.

Young people's joblessness has been a particular issue of concern for nearly all the contenders running in the election.

Approximately 40% of young residents between 15-35 are jobless, with twenty-three percent of college-educated youth facing challenges in securing official jobs.

Opposition Contenders

Apart from young people's job issues, the electoral process has created debate, especially with the removal of an opposition leader from the presidential race.

The disqualification, confirmed by the highest court, was generally denounced as a ploy to prevent any significant opposition to the current leader.

12 aspirants were approved to contest for the country's top job, featuring an ex-government official and Bello Bouba Maigari - both former Biya colleagues from the northern region of the country.

Election Challenges

In Cameroon's English-speaking North-West and South-West territories, where a extended separatist conflict persists, an election boycott lockdown has been enforced, stopping commercial operations, travel and learning.

Rebel groups who have imposed it have warned to attack anyone who does vote.

Starting four years ago, those seeking to create a breakaway state have been clashing with official military.

The violence has so far killed at no fewer than 6,000 lives and caused approximately half a million residents from their residences.

Vote Outcome

Once polling concludes, the Constitutional Council has 15 days to announce the outcome.

The security chief has previously cautioned that no aspirant is allowed to announce winning beforehand.

"Those who will attempt to reveal findings of the presidential election or any unofficial win announcement in violation of the rules of the nation would have crossed the red line and should be ready to encounter consequences commensurate to their crime."