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This world's most aged head of state - nonagenarian Paul Biya - has pledged Cameroon's voters "the best is still to come" as he seeks his eighth consecutive presidential term this weekend.

The 92-year-old has remained in office for over four decades - an additional 7-year mandate could see him rule for half a century making him almost a century old.

Election Issues

He defied broad demands to step down and drew backlash for only showing up for one rally, spending most of the political race on a ten-day personal visit to the European continent.

A backlash over his use of an computer-generated campaign video, as his opponents sought constituents on the ground, prompted his quick return to the northern region after coming back.

Youth Voters and Joblessness

Consequently for the vast majority of the citizenry, Biya remains the sole leader they remember - over 60% of Cameroon's thirty million residents are younger than the age of 25.

Young political activist Marie Flore Mboussi is desperate for "fresh leadership" as she believes "longevity in power inevitably leads to a sort of laziness".

"Following four decades, the population are weary," she states.

Young people's joblessness has been a specific issue of concern for nearly all the candidates competing in the election.

Almost forty percent of young citizens aged from 15 to 35 years are unemployed, with twenty-three percent of young graduates encountering difficulties in finding regular work.

Opposition Candidates

Apart from young people's job issues, the election system has created controversy, particularly regarding the disqualification of Maurice Kamto from the leadership competition.

The disqualification, upheld by the Constitutional Council, was widely criticised as a ploy to block any significant opposition to the incumbent.

Twelve contenders were authorized to compete for the leadership position, featuring an ex-government official and a previous supporter - the two previous Biya allies from the north of the nation.

Voting Challenges

In Cameroon's English-speaking North-West and South-West regions, where a long-running rebellion persists, an poll avoidance lockdown has been enforced, stopping business activities, transport and education.

Insurgents who have enforced it have warned to attack individuals who does vote.

Starting four years ago, those seeking to create a breakaway state have been battling government forces.

The conflict has so far caused the deaths of at minimum 6k lives and forced approximately half a million people from their homes.

Vote Outcome

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

The security chief has earlier advised that none of the contenders is authorized to claim success prior to official results.

"Individuals who will try to announce results of the presidential election or any self-proclaimed victory contrary to the regulations of the country would have crossed the red line and need to be prepared to face consequences commensurate to their crime."