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The planet's oldest leader - nonagenarian Paul Biya - has promised the nation's voters "better days are ahead" as he seeks his eighth consecutive presidential term on Sunday.

The 92-year-old has remained in office for over four decades - another seven-year mandate could see him rule for half a century until he will be almost a century old.

Campaign Issues

He ignored broad demands to step down and has been criticised for making merely one public appearance, using the majority of the election season on a week-and-a-half personal visit to Europe.

Negative reaction over his use of an artificial intelligence created political commercial, as his rivals courted voters directly, saw him rush north on his return home.

Young Voters and Joblessness

This indicates for the vast majority of the people, Biya is the only president they remember - over 60% of Cameroon's 30 million inhabitants are under the quarter century mark.

Youthful campaigner Marie Flore Mboussi is desperate for "new blood" as she maintains "extended rule typically causes a kind of laziness".

"With 43 years passed, the people are weary," she states.

Young people's joblessness has been a specific issue of concern for nearly all the contenders competing in the political race.

Nearly forty percent of young citizens between 15 and 35 are without work, with twenty-three percent of college-educated youth encountering difficulties in securing official jobs.

Opposition Candidates

Apart from young people's job issues, the voting procedure has also stirred controversy, notably concerning the removal of a political rival from the leadership competition.

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

A dozen aspirants were cleared to contest for the presidency, comprising Issa Tchiroma Bakary and a previous supporter - both previous Biya associates from the north of the country.

Election Difficulties

Within the nation's English-speaking Northwest and Southwest regions, where a extended rebellion ongoing, an poll avoidance closure has been established, stopping economic functions, travel and learning.

Rebel groups who have established it have warned to target anyone who participates.

Beginning in 2017, those attempting to establish a breakaway state have been battling official military.

The conflict has so far killed at least 6k individuals and forced nearly 500,000 people from their homes.

Election Results

After Sunday's vote, the highest court has 15 days to declare the results.

The security chief has previously cautioned that no aspirant is authorized to declare victory beforehand.

"Candidates who will seek to declare outcomes of the political race or any unofficial win announcement contrary to the laws of the country would have violated boundaries and should be ready to encounter penalties appropriate for their crime."