Can the planet's most aged president retain his title and woo a nation of young voters?

The planet's most aged leader - nonagenarian Paul Biya - has assured Cameroon's voters "better days are ahead" as he pursues his eighth consecutive presidential term this weekend.

The elderly leader has already been in office since 1982 - another 7-year mandate could extend his reign for 50 years until he will be almost a century old.

Election Controversies

He ignored broad demands to resign and has been criticised for making merely one public appearance, devoting much of the campaign period on a week-and-a-half unofficial journey to Europe.

Criticism regarding his dependence on an artificial intelligence created election advertisement, as his opponents courted supporters in person, led to his hurried travel to the northern region upon his arrival.

Youth Voters and Unemployment

Consequently for the vast majority of the citizenry, Biya has been the exclusive ruler they experienced - over 60% of the nation's thirty million people are under the quarter century mark.

Youthful campaigner Marie Flore Mboussi is desperate for "different faces" as she thinks "longevity in power naturally results in a sort of inertia".

"With 43 years passed, the population are weary," she states.

Youth unemployment remains a particular talking point for the majority of the candidates running in the vote.

Nearly forty percent of young residents between 15 to 35 years are unemployed, with 23% of young graduates facing challenges in finding official jobs.

Opposition Contenders

In addition to young people's job issues, the election system has created debate, especially with the exclusion of an opposition leader from the leadership competition.

The disqualification, upheld by the highest court, was widely criticised as a ploy to prevent any serious competition to the current leader.

Twelve contenders were authorized to vie for the presidency, featuring Issa Tchiroma Bakary and Bello Bouba Maigari - each previous Biya colleagues from the north of the nation.

Voting Challenges

Within the nation's Anglophone North-West and Southwest territories, where a extended rebellion continues, an voting prohibition restriction has been imposed, halting business activities, transport and education.

Rebel groups who have established it have threatened to target individuals who does vote.

Since 2017, those seeking to create a independent territory have been battling official military.

The violence has so far caused the deaths of at minimum 6,000 individuals and compelled approximately 500,000 residents from their homes.

Election Results

Following the election, the highest court has 15 days to declare the results.

The interior minister has earlier advised that no aspirant is allowed to announce winning in advance.

"Candidates who will try to announce results of the leadership vote or any self-proclaimed victory in violation of the rules of the nation would have broken rules and need to be prepared to face penalties appropriate for their violation."