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This world's oldest head of state - 92-year-old Paul Biya - has assured the nation's electorate "the future holds promise" as he pursues his eighth consecutive presidential term this weekend.

The nonagenarian has already been in office since 1982 - another seven-year term could keep him in power for half a century until he will be almost 100.

Campaign Controversies

He ignored numerous appeals to step down and has been criticised for only showing up for one rally, 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 challengers courted voters in person, prompted his quick return north after coming back.

Young Voters and Joblessness

This indicates for the vast majority of the citizenry, Biya has been the exclusive ruler they remember - above 60% of Cameroon's 30 million inhabitants are below the quarter century mark.

Young political activist Marie Flore Mboussi is desperate for "different faces" as she maintains "longevity in power inevitably leads to a kind of inertia".

"With 43 years passed, the population are exhausted," she declares.

Young people's joblessness has become a notable discussion topic for the majority of the aspirants running in the election.

Approximately 40% of young Cameroonians between 15-35 are unemployed, with 23% of young graduates facing challenges in finding formal employment.

Rival Candidates

Beyond young people's job issues, the electoral process has also stirred debate, particularly regarding the exclusion of a political rival from the leadership competition.

The disqualification, confirmed by the highest court, was generally denounced as a tactic to prevent any strong challenge to President Biya.

Twelve aspirants were approved to vie for the presidency, comprising an ex-government official and another former ally - each former Biya allies from the northern region of the nation.

Election Difficulties

In Cameroon's Anglophone North-West and South-West regions, where a protracted insurgency persists, an voting prohibition restriction has been imposed, halting business activities, movement and learning.

The separatists who have established it have promised to harm individuals who does vote.

Starting four years ago, those seeking to create a separate nation have been battling official military.

The fighting has to date caused the deaths of at no fewer than 6k individuals and forced approximately 500,000 residents from their houses.

Election Results

Following the election, the legal body has 15 days to declare the findings.

The interior minister has earlier advised that no aspirant is authorized to declare victory beforehand.

"Candidates who will seek to reveal findings of the political race or any unofficial win announcement contrary to the rules of the country would have crossed the red line and need to be prepared to encounter penalties commensurate to their violation."