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The world's oldest head of state - 92-year-old Paul Biya - has assured Cameroon's voters "the future holds promise" as he aims for his eighth consecutive term in office on Sunday.

The 92-year-old has remained in office for over four decades - an additional 7-year term could see him rule for half a century until he will be almost 100.

Campaign Controversies

He defied broad demands to resign and has been criticised for attending just one public appearance, devoting much of the political race on a ten-day personal visit to Europe.

Negative reaction concerning his reliance on an computer-generated political commercial, as his opponents courted supporters in person, saw him rush north on his return home.

Youth Voters and Unemployment

This indicates for the vast majority of the citizenry, Biya is the only president they have known - over 60% of the nation's thirty million inhabitants are younger than the 25 years old.

Youthful advocate Marie Flore Mboussi urgently wants "new blood" as she maintains "longevity in power naturally results in a type of complacency".

"With 43 years passed, the citizens are exhausted," she says.

Youth unemployment has become a notable discussion topic for nearly all the contenders participating in the election.

Approximately 40% of young residents between 15 to 35 years are jobless, with 23% of recent graduates encountering difficulties in obtaining formal employment.

Rival Contenders

Apart from youth unemployment, the electoral process has created debate, especially with the removal of Maurice Kamto from the election contest.

His exclusion, approved by the legal authority, was broadly condemned as a ploy to stop any strong challenge to the current leader.

A dozen contenders were cleared to vie for the country's top job, comprising Issa Tchiroma Bakary and Bello Bouba Maigari - each former Biya allies from the northern region of the country.

Election Challenges

Within the nation's English-speaking North-West and Southwest regions, where a long-running separatist conflict ongoing, an poll avoidance restriction has been established, stopping commercial operations, travel and learning.

Rebel groups who have enforced it have promised to harm people who casts a ballot.

Starting four years ago, those working toward a breakaway state have been clashing with official military.

The violence has to date caused the deaths of at minimum 6,000 individuals and compelled approximately five hundred thousand others from their residences.

Vote Outcome

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

The security chief has earlier advised that none of the contenders is permitted to declare victory beforehand.

"Individuals who will seek to announce results of the presidential election or any self-proclaimed victory in violation of the regulations of the nation would have violated boundaries and must prepare to encounter consequences matching their violation."