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The planet's oldest head of state - nonagenarian Paul Biya - has promised Cameroon's voters "the future holds promise" as he pursues his 8th straight term in office on Sunday.

The elderly leader has stayed in office for over four decades - another seven-year mandate could see him rule for 50 years reaching almost a century old.

Election Issues

He ignored broad demands to step down and has been criticised for attending just one public appearance, spending most of the political race on a week-and-a-half personal visit to the European continent.

Criticism over his use of an computer-generated campaign video, as his challengers actively wooed voters in person, led to his hurried travel to the northern region upon his arrival.

Young Voters and Joblessness

Consequently for the large portion of the people, Biya remains the sole leader they have known - over sixty percent of Cameroon's 30 million people are below the quarter century mark.

Youthful advocate Marie Flore Mboussi urgently wants "fresh leadership" as she maintains "extended rule typically causes a sort of complacency".

"Following four decades, the population are exhausted," she declares.

Employment challenges for youth has been a specific issue of concern for the majority of the candidates participating in the election.

Nearly forty percent of youthful citizens between 15 to 35 years are jobless, with 23% of young graduates experiencing problems in obtaining official jobs.

Rival Contenders

In addition to young people's job issues, the electoral process has generated dispute, especially with the removal of an opposition leader from the leadership competition.

His exclusion, confirmed by the Constitutional Council, was generally denounced as a ploy to stop any strong challenge to President Biya.

A dozen candidates were cleared to compete for the presidency, featuring a former minister and another former ally - both former Biya associates from the north of the nation.

Voting Challenges

Within the nation's English-speaking Northwest and Southwest territories, where a extended insurgency continues, an poll avoidance restriction has been imposed, stopping business activities, transport and schooling.

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

Beginning in 2017, those working toward a independent territory have been battling official military.

The violence has to date resulted in at no fewer than six thousand lives and caused approximately five hundred thousand residents from their homes.

Election Results

Following the election, the legal body has two weeks to reveal the outcome.

The government official has already warned that no aspirant is allowed to declare victory in advance.

"Individuals who will seek to declare outcomes of the leadership vote or any unofficial win announcement against the regulations of the nation would have broken rules and need to be prepared to face retaliatory measures appropriate for their offense."