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This planet's most aged leader - nonagenarian Paul Biya - has pledged Cameroon's electorate "the best is still to come" as he aims for his eighth consecutive presidential term on Sunday.

The elderly leader has already been in power for over four decades - an additional 7-year term could extend his reign for half a century making him almost 100.

Election Controversies

He resisted widespread calls to step down and faced criticism for making merely one public appearance, spending most of the campaign period on a ten-day personal visit to the European continent.

Criticism concerning his dependence on an artificial intelligence created political commercial, as his challengers actively wooed voters in person, prompted his quick return north upon his arrival.

Youth Voters and Joblessness

It means that for the large portion of the people, Biya has been the exclusive ruler they experienced - over 60% of Cameroon's 30 million inhabitants are younger than the 25 years old.

Youthful political activist Marie Flore Mboussi is desperate for "fresh leadership" as she thinks "longevity in power typically causes a kind of inertia".

"After 43 years, the citizens are weary," she says.

Youth unemployment has become a specific discussion topic for the majority of the aspirants participating in the political race.

Approximately forty percent of youthful citizens aged from 15 and 35 are jobless, with 23% of young graduates experiencing problems in obtaining formal employment.

Opposition Contenders

In addition to youth unemployment, the electoral process has also stirred dispute, especially with the disqualification of an opposition leader from the leadership competition.

The disqualification, upheld by the legal authority, was generally denounced as a ploy to prevent any significant opposition to the current leader.

12 candidates were approved to compete for the country's top job, comprising Issa Tchiroma Bakary and Bello Bouba Maigari - each previous Biya colleagues from the northern region of the nation.

Election Challenges

Within the nation's Anglophone Northwest and Southwest regions, where a protracted insurgency continues, an election boycott restriction has been enforced, halting commercial operations, movement and schooling.

Rebel groups who have imposed it have warned to harm individuals who casts a ballot.

Starting four years ago, those working toward a independent territory have been fighting government forces.

The violence has so far killed at least 6k lives and forced almost half a million people from their homes.

Election Results

Following the election, the Constitutional Council has two weeks to announce the outcome.

The interior minister has earlier advised that no aspirant is authorized to declare victory in advance.

"Candidates who will try to declare outcomes of the leadership vote or any self-proclaimed victory contrary to the laws of the nation would have crossed the red line and should be ready to face consequences appropriate for their offense."