Will this world's oldest leader keep his title and attract a nation of youthful voters?
This planet's oldest head of state - nonagenarian Paul Biya - has pledged the nation's electorate "better days are ahead" as he pursues his 8th straight presidential term on Sunday.
The nonagenarian has stayed in power since 1982 - an additional 7-year mandate could extend his reign for half a century reaching almost 100.
Election Issues
He defied broad demands to resign and has been criticised for making merely one public appearance, devoting much of the election season on a 10-day unofficial journey to Europe.
A backlash over his use of an computer-generated political commercial, as his rivals courted constituents on the ground, prompted his quick return to the northern region after coming back.
Young Voters and Joblessness
Consequently for the large portion of the citizenry, Biya remains the sole leader they remember - over sixty percent of Cameroon's thirty million people are under the quarter century mark.
Youthful campaigner Marie Flore Mboussi is desperate for "different faces" as she maintains "extended rule typically causes a type of complacency".
"After 43 years, the citizens are exhausted," she states.
Young people's joblessness remains a notable discussion topic for nearly all the aspirants participating in the political race.
Nearly 40% of youthful citizens aged from 15 to 35 years are jobless, with 23% of young graduates encountering difficulties in obtaining official jobs.
Opposition Contenders
In addition to young people's job issues, the election system has generated controversy, especially with the removal of a political rival from the election contest.
The removal, approved by the highest court, was broadly condemned as a strategy to block any serious competition to the current leader.
A dozen aspirants were approved to contest for the presidency, including a former minister and another former ally - the two former Biya associates from the north of the nation.
Election Difficulties
Within the nation's Anglophone North-West and Southwest regions, where a extended rebellion persists, an voting prohibition restriction has been enforced, paralysing business activities, travel and education.
The separatists who have established it have promised to attack people who casts a ballot.
Starting four years ago, those seeking to create a independent territory have been battling official military.
The conflict has until now killed at minimum 6k lives and forced approximately five hundred thousand others from their residences.
Vote Outcome
After Sunday's vote, the legal body has 15 days to reveal the outcome.
The government official has previously cautioned that no candidate is permitted to declare victory in advance.
"Individuals who will attempt to declare outcomes of the presidential election or any self-proclaimed victory in violation of the laws of the country would have violated boundaries and must prepare to face penalties appropriate for their offense."
