Can the planet's most aged president keep the position and woo a country of young electorate?
The world's oldest leader - nonagenarian Paul Biya - has promised the nation's voters "the best is still to come" as he seeks his 8th consecutive presidential term this weekend.
The nonagenarian has already been in power since 1982 - an additional 7-year term could extend his reign for 50 years making him almost a century old.
Election Issues
He defied broad demands to step down and drew backlash for attending just one public appearance, devoting much of the political race on a ten-day personal visit to the European continent.
A backlash concerning his reliance on an computer-generated political commercial, as his opponents sought voters in person, saw him rush north upon his arrival.
Youth Voters and Unemployment
It means that for the great bulk of the population, Biya has been the exclusive ruler they remember - more than sixty percent of the nation's thirty million inhabitants are younger than the quarter century mark.
Young political activist Marie Flore Mboussi is desperate for "fresh leadership" as she maintains "prolonged leadership inevitably leads to a kind of laziness".
"With 43 years passed, the citizens are weary," she states.
Employment challenges for youth remains a particular talking point for nearly all the candidates participating in the election.
Approximately forty percent of young citizens aged from 15-35 are without work, with 23% of recent graduates experiencing problems in securing official jobs.
Rival Contenders
Apart from youth unemployment, the electoral process has created dispute, especially with the disqualification of a political rival from the presidential race.
The disqualification, approved by the highest court, was generally denounced as a tactic to block any strong challenge to President Biya.
12 candidates were cleared to vie for the leadership position, featuring Issa Tchiroma Bakary and a previous supporter - each ex- Biya colleagues from the north of the nation.
Election Challenges
Within the nation's English-speaking Northwest and Southwest regions, where a protracted separatist conflict ongoing, an voting prohibition restriction has been enforced, halting economic functions, transport and education.
Rebel groups who have enforced it have warned to attack anyone who casts a ballot.
Starting four years ago, those working toward a separate nation have been clashing with official military.
The fighting has until now killed at no fewer than 6k lives and compelled nearly half a million residents from their houses.
Election Results
After Sunday's vote, the highest court has two weeks to declare the results.
The interior minister has earlier advised that no aspirant is permitted to claim success beforehand.
"Candidates who will attempt to declare outcomes of the presidential election or any personal declaration of success against the laws of the republic would have crossed the red line and should be ready to face penalties appropriate for their crime."
