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The world's most aged head of state - nonagenarian Paul Biya - has assured Cameroon's voters "the future holds promise" as he pursues his 8th consecutive term in office this weekend.

The 92-year-old has stayed in office for over four decades - another 7-year term could extend his reign for 50 years reaching almost 100.

Campaign Issues

He resisted numerous appeals to resign and faced criticism for making merely one rally, spending most of the campaign period on a week-and-a-half personal visit to Europe.

Criticism over his dependence on an computer-generated campaign video, as his opponents sought voters on the ground, saw him rush north on his return home.

Young Voters and Unemployment

This indicates for the vast majority of the people, Biya remains the sole leader they experienced - more than 60% of Cameroon's 30 million inhabitants are below the age of 25.

Young campaigner Marie Flore Mboussi urgently wants "fresh leadership" as she believes "extended rule inevitably leads to a type of inertia".

"With 43 years passed, the population are weary," she says.

Youth unemployment has been a particular issue of concern for the majority of the aspirants participating in the political race.

Nearly forty percent of young residents between 15-35 are unemployed, with 23% of young graduates experiencing problems in securing regular work.

Rival Candidates

Apart from young people's job issues, the electoral process has generated debate, especially with the removal of Maurice Kamto from the leadership competition.

The removal, upheld by the highest court, was generally denounced as a tactic to stop any significant opposition to President Biya.

Twelve contenders were cleared to contest for the country's top job, comprising a former minister and a previous supporter - both previous Biya associates from the north of the country.

Voting Challenges

Within the nation's English-speaking Northwest and South-West regions, where a protracted rebellion ongoing, an election boycott lockdown has been enforced, stopping commercial operations, travel and schooling.

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

Starting four years ago, those attempting to establish a breakaway state have been clashing with state security.

The fighting has so far killed at minimum 6,000 people and compelled almost half a million people from their houses.

Election Results

After Sunday's vote, the legal body has two weeks to reveal the results.

The interior minister has earlier advised that no candidate is allowed to announce winning prior to official results.

"Individuals who will try to reveal findings of the political race or any unofficial win announcement in violation of the laws of the country would have broken rules and need to be prepared to encounter retaliatory measures matching their offense."