Will this world's oldest leader retain his title and attract a nation of youthful voters?
This world's oldest leader - nonagenarian Paul Biya - has assured the nation's electorate "the future holds promise" as he aims for his 8th straight term in office this weekend.
The nonagenarian has already been in power since 1982 - an additional 7-year mandate could keep him in power for 50 years making him almost a century old.
Election Issues
He ignored widespread calls to resign and faced criticism for only showing up for one rally, spending most of the campaign period on a 10-day personal visit to Europe.
Criticism regarding his use of an computer-generated election advertisement, as his opponents sought constituents on the ground, saw him rush north after coming back.
Young Population and Joblessness
This indicates for the large portion of the citizenry, Biya is the only president they have known - above sixty percent of the nation's 30 million people are under the quarter century mark.
Youthful political activist Marie Flore Mboussi strongly desires "fresh leadership" as she believes "longevity in power inevitably leads to a type of inertia".
"After 43 years, the people are tired," she says.
Employment challenges for youth remains a notable issue of concern for the majority of the aspirants running in the election.
Nearly 40% of young citizens between 15 to 35 years are without work, with 23% of recent graduates encountering difficulties in obtaining official jobs.
Opposition Contenders
Beyond young people's job issues, the voting procedure has also stirred controversy, especially with the exclusion of an opposition leader from the presidential race.
The disqualification, upheld by the legal authority, was widely criticised as a tactic to stop any significant opposition to the incumbent.
A dozen contenders were cleared to contest for the presidency, including a former minister and another former ally - both ex- Biya colleagues from the northern region of the country.
Voting Difficulties
In Cameroon's Anglophone North-West and Southwest territories, where a extended separatist conflict ongoing, an poll avoidance restriction has been enforced, halting commercial operations, movement and education.
The separatists who have enforced it have threatened to harm people who participates.
Beginning in 2017, those attempting to establish a separate nation have been battling state security.
The conflict has until now caused the deaths of at least six thousand lives and compelled almost five hundred thousand others from their houses.
Election Results
Once polling concludes, the legal body has two weeks to declare the results.
The interior minister has previously cautioned that no aspirant is authorized to announce winning prior to official results.
"Candidates who will try to declare outcomes of the political race or any unofficial win announcement against the laws of the country would have violated boundaries and need to be prepared to encounter penalties commensurate to their offense."
