Will this world's most aged president keep the position and attract a nation of young voters?
The world's oldest head of state - nonagenarian Paul Biya - has promised the nation's voters "better days are ahead" as he aims for his 8th straight term in office this weekend.
The nonagenarian has stayed in power for over four decades - an additional seven-year term could extend his reign for 50 years reaching almost a century old.
Campaign Issues
He defied widespread calls to leave office and has been criticised for only showing up for a single campaign event, devoting much of the campaign period on a 10-day private trip to the European continent.
A backlash over his dependence on an computer-generated political commercial, as his opponents sought voters in person, saw him rush north on his return home.
Youth Population and Joblessness
This indicates for the large portion of the people, Biya remains the sole leader they experienced - more than 60% of the nation's 30 million inhabitants are below the 25 years old.
Young political activist Marie Flore Mboussi is desperate for "different faces" as she thinks "extended rule naturally results in a kind of inertia".
"With 43 years passed, the population are tired," she states.
Young people's joblessness remains a specific discussion topic for most of the candidates participating in the vote.
Approximately forty percent of youthful citizens between 15 to 35 years are jobless, with twenty-three percent of college-educated youth encountering difficulties in finding formal employment.
Rival Contenders
Apart from young people's job issues, the election system has also stirred dispute, notably concerning the disqualification of Maurice Kamto from the election contest.
The removal, approved by the highest court, was widely criticised as a ploy to block any significant opposition to President Biya.
Twelve aspirants were approved to vie for the leadership position, including an ex-government official and another former ally - the two former Biya allies from the north of the nation.
Voting Challenges
Within the nation's Anglophone North-West and Southwest areas, where a protracted rebellion persists, an voting prohibition closure has been enforced, halting business activities, travel and learning.
Rebel groups who have enforced it have warned to attack people who participates.
Beginning in 2017, those attempting to establish a breakaway state have been fighting government forces.
The conflict has so far caused the deaths of at least six thousand individuals and forced almost five hundred thousand others from their residences.
Election Results
After Sunday's vote, the Constitutional Council has two weeks to declare the findings.
The interior minister has earlier advised that no candidate is authorized to claim success beforehand.
"Candidates who will try to declare outcomes of the political race or any unofficial win announcement in violation of the regulations of the nation would have violated boundaries and must prepare to receive consequences commensurate to their offense."
