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The planet's oldest leader - nonagenarian Paul Biya - has assured Cameroon's voters "better days are ahead" as he pursues his eighth straight term in office this weekend.

The nonagenarian has already been in office since 1982 - an additional seven-year term could see him rule for half a century reaching almost 100.

Campaign Controversies

He ignored numerous appeals to resign and faced criticism for only showing up for a single campaign event, devoting much of the political race on a 10-day unofficial journey to Europe.

Negative reaction regarding his reliance on an AI-generated political commercial, as his rivals actively wooed voters in person, led to his hurried travel north upon his arrival.

Young Voters and Unemployment

This indicates for the great bulk of the people, Biya remains the sole leader they experienced - above 60% of the nation's 30 million inhabitants are under the age of 25.

Youthful advocate Marie Flore Mboussi urgently wants "fresh leadership" as she believes "longevity in power typically causes a kind of inertia".

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

Young people's joblessness has been a notable issue of concern for most of the contenders participating in the election.

Nearly 40% of young citizens between 15 to 35 years are without work, with 23% of college-educated youth facing challenges in finding regular work.

Rival Contenders

Apart from young people's job issues, the electoral process has also stirred debate, notably concerning the disqualification of an opposition leader from the presidential race.

The removal, approved by the Constitutional Council, was broadly condemned as a ploy to block any significant opposition to the incumbent.

Twelve contenders were cleared to compete for the country's top job, including a former minister and a previous supporter - each previous Biya associates from the north of the nation.

Election Challenges

Within the nation's Anglophone North-West and Southwest territories, where a protracted rebellion ongoing, an voting prohibition lockdown has been established, paralysing economic functions, travel and schooling.

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

Starting four years ago, those attempting to establish a independent territory have been clashing with government forces.

The conflict has so far killed at no fewer than 6k lives and forced approximately half a million people from their residences.

Election Results

Once polling concludes, the highest court has two weeks to declare the findings.

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

"Candidates who will try to reveal findings of the presidential election or any self-proclaimed victory against the regulations of the country would have crossed the red line and need to be prepared to receive consequences commensurate to their offense."