Can this world's oldest president retain the title and woo a nation of young electorate?
The planet's most aged head of state - 92-year-old Paul Biya - has pledged the nation's voters "better days are ahead" as he seeks his eighth straight presidential term on Sunday.
The elderly leader has stayed in power for over four decades - another 7-year term could extend his reign for half a century until he will be almost a century old.
Election Controversies
He ignored broad demands to resign and drew backlash for only showing up for one public appearance, spending most of the campaign period on a week-and-a-half private trip to the European continent.
A backlash over his use of an AI-generated election advertisement, as his challengers actively wooed voters directly, led to his hurried travel north on his return home.
Youth Population and Unemployment
It means that for the large portion of the people, Biya has been the exclusive ruler they experienced - over 60% of the nation's thirty million people are below the quarter century mark.
Young campaigner Marie Flore Mboussi urgently wants "different faces" as she thinks "longevity in power naturally results in a type of laziness".
"With 43 years passed, the citizens are tired," she states.
Young people's joblessness has been a notable issue of concern for nearly all the candidates competing in the vote.
Nearly forty percent of youthful residents between 15-35 are jobless, with twenty-three percent of college-educated youth experiencing problems in finding official jobs.
Opposition Contenders
In addition to youth unemployment, the electoral process has created dispute, especially with the exclusion of a political rival from the election contest.
The disqualification, upheld by the highest court, was widely criticised as a tactic to prevent any significant opposition to President Biya.
12 candidates were approved to compete for the presidency, comprising a former minister and Bello Bouba Maigari - both former Biya associates from the north of the country.
Election Challenges
Within the nation's Anglophone North-West and Southwest territories, where a extended separatist conflict continues, an election boycott closure has been established, stopping economic functions, movement and schooling.
Rebel groups who have enforced it have promised to target individuals who does vote.
Since 2017, those working toward a breakaway state have been fighting government forces.
The conflict has to date killed at no fewer than 6,000 people and caused almost 500,000 people from their homes.
Election Results
Following the election, the Constitutional Council has 15 days to announce the results.
The security chief has already warned that none of the contenders is allowed to claim success beforehand.
"Individuals who will seek to announce results of the presidential election or any self-proclaimed victory against the laws of the country would have crossed the red line and should be ready to face penalties matching their crime."
