Will this world's oldest president retain his position and attract a country of youthful voters?
This world's most aged leader - 92-year-old Paul Biya - has promised the nation's electorate "better days are ahead" as he aims for his 8th straight term in office on Sunday.
The nonagenarian has remained in power for over four decades - an additional 7-year term could keep him in power for 50 years until he will be almost a century old.
Campaign Controversies
He defied broad demands to leave office and faced criticism for attending just one public appearance, using the majority of the campaign period on a week-and-a-half unofficial journey to Europe.
A backlash concerning his reliance on an computer-generated campaign video, as his opponents sought supporters in person, prompted his quick return north after coming back.
Young Voters and Unemployment
Consequently for the large portion of the people, Biya is the only president they have known - over 60% of the nation's 30 million inhabitants are below the 25 years old.
Young political activist Marie Flore Mboussi strongly desires "new blood" as she believes "longevity in power inevitably leads to a kind of inertia".
"After 43 years, the population are tired," she declares.
Young people's joblessness remains a specific discussion topic for the majority of the contenders running in the election.
Approximately 40% of youthful residents between 15 to 35 years are jobless, with twenty-three percent of college-educated youth experiencing problems in obtaining formal employment.
Opposition Candidates
Apart from youth unemployment, the electoral process has created dispute, especially with the removal of Maurice Kamto from the presidential race.
The disqualification, approved by the Constitutional Council, was broadly condemned as a ploy to prevent any strong challenge to the current leader.
A dozen contenders were approved to contest for the leadership position, including Issa Tchiroma Bakary and Bello Bouba Maigari - the two previous Biya allies from the north of the country.
Election Challenges
In Cameroon's Anglophone North-West and South-West territories, where a extended rebellion continues, an voting prohibition restriction has been enforced, paralysing commercial operations, travel and education.
Insurgents who have enforced it have threatened to target anyone who casts a ballot.
Since 2017, those seeking to create a separate nation have been fighting government forces.
The violence has so far resulted in at no fewer than 6,000 people and caused almost five hundred thousand others from their houses.
Vote Outcome
Following the election, the highest court has two weeks to reveal the results.
The interior minister has earlier advised that none of the contenders is authorized to claim success prior to official results.
"Those who will try to declare outcomes of the leadership vote or any personal declaration of success against the laws of the nation would have crossed the red line and should be ready to encounter penalties commensurate to their crime."
