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The planet's oldest leader - nonagenarian Paul Biya - has assured the nation's voters "better days are ahead" as he aims for his 8th consecutive term in office on Sunday.

The nonagenarian has stayed in power for over four decades - another seven-year term could see him rule for 50 years until he will be almost 100.

Election Issues

He defied widespread calls to step down and has been criticised for attending just one public appearance, using the majority of the election season on a ten-day unofficial journey to Europe.

Negative reaction over his reliance on an computer-generated election advertisement, as his opponents sought supporters on the ground, prompted his quick return north upon his arrival.

Young Population and Unemployment

Consequently for the great bulk of the people, Biya is the only president they have known - over 60% of Cameroon's thirty million people are below the quarter century mark.

Young campaigner Marie Flore Mboussi strongly desires "new blood" as she thinks "longevity in power typically causes a sort of inertia".

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

Employment challenges for youth has been a specific discussion topic for nearly all the aspirants competing in the vote.

Almost forty percent of young citizens between 15-35 are unemployed, with 23% of college-educated youth encountering difficulties in securing official jobs.

Opposition Candidates

Beyond youth unemployment, the voting procedure has created controversy, notably concerning the disqualification of a political rival from the election contest.

The disqualification, upheld by the legal authority, was broadly condemned as a ploy to block any serious competition to the current leader.

A dozen aspirants were approved to compete for the presidency, comprising an ex-government official and a previous supporter - each former Biya colleagues from the north of the country.

Voting Challenges

In Cameroon's Anglophone North-West and Southwest territories, where a long-running separatist conflict continues, an voting prohibition restriction has been established, halting commercial operations, travel and schooling.

The separatists who have established it have warned to harm anyone who casts a ballot.

Since 2017, those attempting to establish a separate nation have been clashing with government forces.

The violence has until now resulted in at least 6k lives and forced nearly 500,000 people from their houses.

Vote Outcome

Following the election, the Constitutional Council has fifteen days to announce the outcome.

The government official has earlier advised that none of the contenders is authorized to declare victory beforehand.

"Individuals who will try to declare outcomes of the political race or any unofficial win announcement contrary to the regulations of the republic would have crossed the red line and must prepare to receive consequences matching their offense."