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The world's most aged head of state - nonagenarian Paul Biya - has promised the nation's voters "the best is still to come" as he seeks his eighth straight term in office on Sunday.

The 92-year-old has stayed in office for over four decades - another seven-year term could extend his reign for half a century until he will be almost 100.

Campaign Controversies

He ignored widespread calls to step down and drew backlash for only showing up for one rally, using the majority of the political race on a ten-day personal visit to the European continent.

Criticism concerning his dependence on an artificial intelligence created campaign video, as his rivals courted voters in person, prompted his quick return to the northern region on his return home.

Youth Voters and Unemployment

Consequently for the great bulk of the citizenry, Biya remains the sole leader they experienced - above 60% of Cameroon's 30 million residents are below the quarter century mark.

Young campaigner Marie Flore Mboussi strongly desires "new blood" as she thinks "prolonged leadership typically causes a type of inertia".

"After 43 years, the population are exhausted," she says.

Youth unemployment has been a particular talking point for the majority of the aspirants competing in the political race.

Nearly 40% of youthful citizens aged from 15 and 35 are unemployed, with twenty-three percent of recent graduates facing challenges in obtaining formal employment.

Rival Candidates

Beyond young people's job issues, the election system has created debate, notably concerning the disqualification of a political rival from the presidential race.

The removal, approved by the Constitutional Council, was broadly condemned as a tactic to stop any strong challenge to the current leader.

A dozen contenders were approved to compete for the country's top job, comprising Issa Tchiroma Bakary and a previous supporter - each former Biya colleagues from the northern region of the country.

Election Challenges

Within the nation's English-speaking Northwest and South-West areas, where a long-running rebellion persists, an poll avoidance restriction has been enforced, halting commercial operations, travel and learning.

The separatists who have enforced it have warned to target individuals who participates.

Since 2017, those attempting to establish a independent territory have been battling state security.

The violence has to date resulted in at minimum 6,000 lives and forced nearly half a million residents from their residences.

Election Results

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

The security chief has earlier advised that no aspirant is allowed to declare victory prior to official results.

"Individuals who will attempt to declare outcomes of the political race or any unofficial win announcement against the laws of the country would have crossed the red line and need to be prepared to face penalties commensurate to their violation."