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This world's most aged leader - 92-year-old Paul Biya - has pledged Cameroon's electorate "better days are ahead" as he seeks his 8th consecutive term in office this weekend.

The 92-year-old has remained in power since 1982 - another 7-year term could extend his reign for 50 years reaching almost 100.

Election Issues

He ignored widespread calls to resign and drew backlash for only showing up for one rally, devoting much of the election season on a 10-day unofficial journey to the European continent.

Negative reaction concerning his dependence on an computer-generated campaign video, as his rivals courted supporters in person, saw him rush north on his return home.

Youth Population and Joblessness

Consequently for the large portion of the people, Biya has been the exclusive ruler they remember - above 60% of Cameroon's thirty million people are younger than the 25 years old.

Youthful political activist Marie Flore Mboussi strongly desires "new blood" as she maintains "extended rule inevitably leads to a type of laziness".

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

Youth unemployment has become a notable issue of concern for nearly all the contenders competing in the vote.

Almost forty percent of young Cameroonians between 15-35 are unemployed, with twenty-three percent of college-educated youth experiencing problems in securing official jobs.

Opposition Contenders

Apart from young people's job issues, the voting procedure has generated dispute, notably concerning the disqualification of an opposition leader from the leadership competition.

His exclusion, confirmed by the highest court, was widely criticised as a tactic to block any strong challenge to the current leader.

Twelve contenders were cleared to compete for the leadership position, including an ex-government official and a previous supporter - the two former Biya colleagues from the north of the nation.

Voting Challenges

Within the nation's Anglophone North-West and South-West areas, where a long-running separatist conflict persists, an voting prohibition lockdown has been established, paralysing business activities, transport and schooling.

The separatists who have enforced it have warned to harm people who does vote.

Beginning in 2017, those working toward a breakaway state have been battling state security.

The violence has to date killed at least 6,000 lives and compelled approximately five hundred thousand people from their residences.

Election Results

Following the election, the Constitutional Council has 15 days to announce the outcome.

The interior minister has already warned that no aspirant is allowed to claim success in advance.

"Candidates who will try to reveal findings of the leadership vote or any unofficial win announcement in violation of the regulations of the republic would have violated boundaries and must prepare to encounter consequences matching their offense."