Will this planet's most aged president retain the title and woo a nation of young electorate?

The planet's most aged leader - 92-year-old Paul Biya - has pledged the nation's electorate "the future holds promise" as he seeks his 8th consecutive term in office this weekend.

The nonagenarian has stayed in office for over four decades - another 7-year mandate could keep him in power for 50 years making him almost 100.

Election Issues

He defied widespread calls to step down and drew backlash for making merely one public appearance, spending most of the political race on a week-and-a-half private trip to the European continent.

A backlash regarding his dependence on an computer-generated political commercial, as his challengers sought constituents directly, prompted his quick return north on his return home.

Young Population and Unemployment

Consequently for the vast majority of the citizenry, Biya is the only president they remember - over 60% of Cameroon's thirty million inhabitants are younger than the 25 years old.

Young political activist Marie Flore Mboussi strongly desires "different faces" as she believes "prolonged leadership inevitably leads to a type of laziness".

"After 43 years, the citizens are tired," she states.

Youth unemployment has been a particular discussion topic for the majority of the candidates competing in the election.

Nearly 40% of young residents between 15 and 35 are jobless, with 23% of young graduates facing challenges in securing regular work.

Opposition Contenders

In addition to young people's job issues, the electoral process has generated dispute, particularly regarding the removal of an opposition leader from the election contest.

The removal, confirmed by the Constitutional Council, was widely criticised as a ploy to stop any strong challenge to President Biya.

12 contenders were approved to contest for the country's top job, including Issa Tchiroma Bakary and another former ally - the two former Biya associates from the north of the nation.

Voting Difficulties

Within the nation's English-speaking Northwest and South-West regions, where a protracted insurgency persists, an election boycott restriction has been enforced, halting commercial operations, transport and learning.

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

Starting four years ago, those working toward a independent territory have been battling official military.

The conflict has until now resulted in at least six thousand individuals and caused approximately five hundred thousand others from their residences.

Election Results

Once polling concludes, the highest court has two weeks to declare the findings.

The government official has earlier advised that no candidate is allowed to announce winning prior to official results.

"Candidates who will attempt to declare outcomes of the leadership vote or any personal declaration of success against the regulations of the country would have violated boundaries and must prepare to encounter consequences appropriate for their violation."