Can the planet's oldest leader retain the position and attract a nation of young electorate?

This planet's most aged leader - nonagenarian Paul Biya - has assured the nation's voters "better days are ahead" as he pursues his 8th straight presidential term on Sunday.

The elderly leader has stayed in office since 1982 - another 7-year term could keep him in power for half a century reaching almost a century old.

Campaign Issues

He defied widespread calls to step down and has been criticised for making merely one public appearance, devoting much of the campaign period on a ten-day unofficial journey to Europe.

Criticism concerning his use of an AI-generated political commercial, as his rivals courted voters on the ground, saw him rush to the northern region after coming back.

Youth Voters and Joblessness

This indicates for the great bulk of the population, Biya has been the exclusive ruler they have known - over 60% of the nation's 30 million residents are below the 25 years old.

Youthful political activist Marie Flore Mboussi urgently wants "different faces" as she believes "longevity in power naturally results in a type of inertia".

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

Employment challenges for youth has been a particular talking point for the majority of the candidates participating in the vote.

Approximately forty percent of youthful residents between 15 to 35 years are jobless, with twenty-three percent of college-educated youth encountering difficulties in obtaining regular work.

Rival Candidates

In addition to youth unemployment, the election system has also stirred dispute, especially with the exclusion of a political rival from the election contest.

The disqualification, approved by the Constitutional Council, was widely criticised as a tactic to stop any significant opposition to the incumbent.

A dozen aspirants were approved to compete for the country's top job, including Issa Tchiroma Bakary and Bello Bouba Maigari - each former Biya allies from the north of the country.

Election Challenges

Within the nation's Anglophone North-West and Southwest regions, where a protracted rebellion ongoing, an poll avoidance closure has been imposed, stopping economic functions, transport and learning.

Rebel groups who have established it have promised to attack anyone who casts a ballot.

Starting four years ago, those seeking to create a independent territory have been battling state security.

The conflict has so far resulted in at least six thousand individuals and forced almost five hundred thousand residents from their homes.

Vote Outcome

Once polling concludes, the Constitutional Council has two weeks to declare the results.

The government official has earlier advised that no aspirant is allowed to claim success beforehand.

"Individuals who will attempt to announce results of the political race or any personal declaration of success in violation of the rules of the country would have broken rules and must prepare to face consequences matching their violation."