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This planet's most aged head of state - 92-year-old Paul Biya - has promised Cameroon's voters "better days are ahead" as he seeks his eighth consecutive presidential term on Sunday.

The nonagenarian has stayed in office since 1982 - an additional seven-year term could extend his reign for half a century making him almost 100.

Election Controversies

He ignored widespread calls to resign and faced criticism for attending just one public appearance, devoting much of the election season on a ten-day unofficial journey to Europe.

A backlash over his reliance on an artificial intelligence created campaign video, as his rivals actively wooed constituents in person, saw him rush to the northern region on his return home.

Young Voters and Unemployment

It means that for the great bulk of the people, Biya is the only president they remember - above 60% of Cameroon's thirty million residents are below the quarter century mark.

Youthful campaigner Marie Flore Mboussi strongly desires "new blood" as she thinks "extended rule typically causes a kind of complacency".

"With 43 years passed, the population are tired," she says.

Young people's joblessness remains a notable talking point for nearly all the contenders competing in the political race.

Nearly forty percent of youthful residents between 15-35 are unemployed, with 23% of recent graduates facing challenges in securing regular work.

Rival Candidates

In addition to youth unemployment, the voting procedure has also stirred controversy, notably concerning the removal of a political rival from the presidential race.

The removal, approved by the Constitutional Council, was broadly condemned as a ploy to block any serious competition to President Biya.

12 aspirants were authorized to contest for the leadership position, comprising Issa Tchiroma Bakary and Bello Bouba Maigari - each previous Biya associates from the north of the country.

Voting Difficulties

Within the nation's Anglophone Northwest and Southwest regions, where a extended insurgency ongoing, an poll avoidance closure has been enforced, stopping commercial operations, movement and education.

Rebel groups who have imposed it have warned to attack people who casts a ballot.

Since 2017, those working toward a breakaway state have been battling state security.

The violence has so far caused the deaths of at least 6,000 people and caused nearly five hundred thousand others from their residences.

Vote Outcome

Once polling concludes, the Constitutional Council has fifteen days to announce the results.

The security chief has already warned that no aspirant is authorized to announce winning beforehand.

"Candidates who will attempt to reveal findings of the political race or any personal declaration of success contrary to the regulations of the republic would have broken rules and need to be prepared to receive penalties appropriate for their crime."