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The planet's oldest head of state - 92-year-old Paul Biya - has pledged the nation's voters "the best is still to come" as he seeks his 8th consecutive presidential term on Sunday.

The 92-year-old has remained in office for over four decades - an additional 7-year term could extend his reign for half a century reaching almost 100.

Campaign Controversies

He ignored broad demands to resign and faced criticism for making merely one public appearance, devoting much of the campaign period on a 10-day unofficial journey to the European continent.

A backlash over his use of an computer-generated election advertisement, as his rivals sought constituents on the ground, prompted his quick return to the northern region after coming back.

Youth Population and Joblessness

Consequently for the vast majority of the population, Biya remains the sole leader they experienced - above 60% of Cameroon's 30 million people are below the quarter century mark.

Young campaigner Marie Flore Mboussi strongly desires "different faces" as she maintains "extended rule inevitably leads to a sort of laziness".

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

Young people's joblessness remains a particular discussion topic for nearly all the candidates participating in the vote.

Almost 40% of youthful Cameroonians between 15 to 35 years are without work, with 23% of recent graduates experiencing problems in securing formal employment.

Rival Contenders

Apart from young people's job issues, the voting procedure has created debate, notably concerning the exclusion of Maurice Kamto from the election contest.

His exclusion, approved by the highest court, was generally denounced as a strategy to prevent any strong challenge to President Biya.

Twelve contenders were authorized to contest for the country's top job, featuring Issa Tchiroma Bakary and a previous supporter - both previous Biya colleagues from the north of the country.

Voting Difficulties

In Cameroon's English-speaking North-West and Southwest areas, where a protracted insurgency continues, an voting prohibition lockdown has been established, paralysing economic functions, transport and learning.

Insurgents who have established it have promised to attack individuals who participates.

Since 2017, those attempting to establish a separate nation have been fighting official military.

The violence has so far resulted in at least six thousand lives and forced approximately half a million residents from their houses.

Election Results

After Sunday's vote, the highest court has 15 days to announce the outcome.

The security chief has already warned that no aspirant is allowed to announce winning beforehand.

"Individuals who will attempt to announce results of the political race or any personal declaration of success against the laws of the nation would have broken rules and should be ready to encounter retaliatory measures commensurate to their violation."