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The world's most aged head of state - nonagenarian Paul Biya - has pledged Cameroon's electorate "the future holds promise" as he aims for his 8th straight term in office this weekend.

The 92-year-old has stayed in office since 1982 - an additional 7-year mandate could extend his reign for half a century until he will be almost a century old.

Election Controversies

He ignored widespread calls to step down and faced criticism for attending just one rally, devoting much of the campaign period on a ten-day private trip to the European continent.

A backlash regarding his reliance on an computer-generated political commercial, as his challengers courted supporters on the ground, prompted his quick return to the northern region on his return home.

Youth Voters and Joblessness

This indicates for the vast majority of the people, Biya is the only president they have known - above sixty percent of Cameroon's 30 million residents are below the age of 25.

Youthful advocate Marie Flore Mboussi urgently wants "different faces" as she thinks "extended rule typically causes a kind of laziness".

"Following four decades, the people are tired," she states.

Youth unemployment has been a notable issue of concern for most of the aspirants running in the political race.

Almost 40% of young residents between 15 and 35 are unemployed, with 23% of young graduates experiencing problems in obtaining regular work.

Rival Contenders

Beyond youth unemployment, the election system has generated controversy, particularly regarding the exclusion of a political rival from the leadership competition.

His exclusion, approved by the Constitutional Council, was generally denounced as a tactic to stop any serious competition to the current leader.

12 contenders were authorized to compete for the presidency, comprising an ex-government official and another former ally - each ex- Biya colleagues from the north of the country.

Voting Challenges

Within the nation's English-speaking Northwest and South-West territories, where a long-running insurgency ongoing, an election boycott closure has been established, paralysing commercial operations, travel and learning.

The separatists who have enforced it have promised to target individuals who does vote.

Starting four years ago, those attempting to establish a independent territory have been fighting state security.

The violence has so far resulted in at no fewer than 6k people and forced almost half a million people from their homes.

Vote Outcome

After Sunday's vote, the highest court has two weeks to reveal the findings.

The security chief has earlier advised that no candidate is authorized to announce winning beforehand.

"Individuals who will seek to declare outcomes of the leadership vote or any self-proclaimed victory contrary to the rules of the nation would have crossed the red line and need to be prepared to face consequences commensurate to their violation."