Can this planet's most aged president retain the title and attract a country of young electorate?

This world's oldest leader - nonagenarian Paul Biya - has promised the nation's voters "the future holds promise" as he seeks his 8th consecutive term in office on Sunday.

The elderly leader has stayed in power for over four decades - an additional seven-year mandate could extend his reign for half a century reaching almost 100.

Election Issues

He resisted widespread calls to step down and has been criticised for only showing up for one rally, spending most of the political race on a 10-day personal visit to Europe.

Criticism regarding his dependence on an AI-generated campaign video, as his challengers courted voters on the ground, saw him rush north on his return home.

Young Population and Joblessness

Consequently for the large portion of the population, Biya is the only president they have known - more than sixty percent of the nation's 30 million people are younger than the quarter century mark.

Youthful advocate Marie Flore Mboussi is desperate for "fresh leadership" as she believes "prolonged leadership inevitably leads to a kind of inertia".

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

Employment challenges for youth remains a notable discussion topic for the majority of the contenders running in the election.

Approximately forty percent of young residents aged from 15 to 35 years are without work, with 23% of young graduates facing challenges in obtaining regular work.

Rival Contenders

Beyond young people's job issues, the voting procedure has also stirred dispute, notably concerning the removal of a political rival from the election contest.

The removal, upheld by the Constitutional Council, was broadly condemned as a ploy to prevent any serious competition to the current leader.

A dozen aspirants were approved to contest for the leadership position, comprising a former minister and Bello Bouba Maigari - both previous Biya associates from the north of the country.

Election Difficulties

Within the nation's Anglophone Northwest and Southwest territories, where a extended insurgency continues, an poll avoidance closure has been established, halting commercial operations, movement and learning.

Insurgents who have imposed it have warned to target anyone who does vote.

Starting four years ago, those attempting to establish a independent territory have been clashing with government forces.

The conflict has so far resulted in at least 6,000 individuals and caused nearly half a million people from their residences.

Election Results

After Sunday's vote, the legal body has 15 days to reveal the findings.

The government official has earlier advised that no candidate is authorized to declare victory beforehand.

"Individuals who will try to reveal findings of the presidential election or any personal declaration of success in violation of the rules of the country would have crossed the red line and should be ready to face penalties commensurate to their violation."