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This world's most aged head of state - 92-year-old Paul Biya - has pledged Cameroon's voters "the best is still to come" as he aims for his eighth consecutive term in office this weekend.

The elderly leader has already been in office for over four decades - an additional seven-year term could extend his reign for half a century making him almost a century old.

Campaign Issues

He ignored numerous appeals to step down and faced criticism for attending just one public appearance, spending most of the election season on a week-and-a-half private trip to Europe.

Criticism regarding his dependence on an AI-generated campaign video, as his challengers sought constituents on the ground, saw him rush north on his return home.

Young Voters and Joblessness

It means that for the great bulk of the people, Biya has been the exclusive ruler they have known - more than sixty percent of the nation's 30 million residents are below the age of 25.

Youthful advocate Marie Flore Mboussi is desperate for "new blood" as she thinks "extended rule naturally results in a type of laziness".

"After 43 years, the citizens are weary," she says.

Employment challenges for youth remains a particular talking point for the majority of the contenders running in the political race.

Nearly 40% of youthful Cameroonians between 15 to 35 years are without work, with twenty-three percent of college-educated youth encountering difficulties in securing formal employment.

Opposition Contenders

In addition to youth unemployment, the electoral process has generated dispute, especially with the exclusion of a political rival from the election contest.

The removal, upheld by the legal authority, was widely criticised as a ploy to stop any significant opposition to President Biya.

12 contenders were approved to compete for the leadership position, featuring a former minister and a previous supporter - each previous Biya colleagues from the north of the country.

Election Difficulties

In Cameroon's English-speaking Northwest and Southwest territories, where a extended separatist conflict persists, an election boycott restriction has been established, paralysing economic functions, movement and learning.

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

Starting four years ago, those attempting to establish a breakaway state have been clashing with state security.

The conflict has so far caused the deaths of at no fewer than six thousand individuals and caused approximately half a million people from their homes.

Election Results

After Sunday's vote, the legal body has two weeks to announce the results.

The interior minister has earlier advised that no candidate is authorized to declare victory in advance.

"Individuals who will attempt to reveal findings of the presidential election or any self-proclaimed victory contrary to the laws of the country would have crossed the red line and must prepare to encounter consequences appropriate for their offense."