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This world's most aged head of state - nonagenarian Paul Biya - has promised the nation's electorate "the best is still to come" as he pursues his eighth straight presidential term on Sunday.

The 92-year-old has stayed in power since 1982 - another 7-year mandate could see him rule for half a century making him almost 100.

Election Issues

He resisted broad demands to step down and faced criticism for attending just one rally, using the majority of the campaign period on a week-and-a-half unofficial journey to Europe.

Criticism concerning his use of an computer-generated political commercial, as his opponents actively wooed constituents directly, prompted his quick return north after coming back.

Youth Voters and Unemployment

This indicates for the great bulk of the population, Biya has been the exclusive ruler they experienced - over sixty percent of Cameroon's thirty million people are below the quarter century mark.

Young political activist Marie Flore Mboussi is desperate for "fresh leadership" as she thinks "prolonged leadership typically causes a kind of inertia".

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

Young people's joblessness has become a specific issue of concern for the majority of the aspirants running in the vote.

Almost 40% of young Cameroonians between 15 and 35 are jobless, with 23% of recent graduates facing challenges in obtaining regular work.

Rival Candidates

In addition to young people's job issues, the election system has generated controversy, particularly regarding the disqualification of a political rival from the presidential race.

The disqualification, confirmed by the legal authority, was widely criticised as a ploy to block any serious competition to the current leader.

12 aspirants were cleared to compete for the country's top job, comprising a former minister and another former ally - both former Biya allies from the northern region of the nation.

Voting Difficulties

In Cameroon's Anglophone North-West and Southwest territories, where a protracted separatist conflict continues, an voting prohibition closure has been imposed, halting economic functions, transport and schooling.

Rebel groups who have enforced it have promised to attack people who participates.

Beginning in 2017, those attempting to establish a breakaway state have been fighting government forces.

The violence has until now killed at least 6k individuals and forced almost five hundred thousand residents from their homes.

Vote Outcome

After Sunday's vote, the Constitutional Council has 15 days to declare the findings.

The government official has already warned that no aspirant is authorized to announce winning beforehand.

"Candidates who will attempt to declare outcomes of the political race or any personal declaration of success against the rules of the nation would have violated boundaries and must prepare to encounter penalties appropriate for their offense."