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The world's most aged leader - 92-year-old Paul Biya - has pledged Cameroon's electorate "the future holds promise" as he seeks his 8th consecutive term in office this weekend.

The nonagenarian has remained in office since 1982 - another seven-year mandate could extend his reign for 50 years making him almost a century old.

Campaign Controversies

He ignored numerous appeals to step down and drew backlash for only showing up for a single campaign event, using the majority of the election season on a 10-day unofficial journey to the European continent.

Criticism over his use of an computer-generated election advertisement, as his opponents actively wooed constituents on the ground, led to his hurried travel north after coming back.

Youth Population and Unemployment

Consequently for the great bulk of the people, Biya remains the sole leader they remember - over 60% of the nation's thirty million people are younger than the 25 years old.

Youthful campaigner Marie Flore Mboussi is desperate for "new blood" as she thinks "longevity in power inevitably leads to a type of complacency".

"With 43 years passed, the people are tired," she says.

Youth unemployment remains a specific talking point for nearly all the candidates running in the election.

Almost forty percent of young Cameroonians aged from 15 to 35 years are unemployed, with 23% of young graduates facing challenges in securing formal employment.

Opposition Contenders

In addition to young people's job issues, the voting procedure has also stirred controversy, notably concerning the removal of Maurice Kamto from the presidential race.

The removal, upheld by the legal authority, was widely criticised as a tactic to prevent any serious competition to the current leader.

12 candidates were authorized to vie for the presidency, including an ex-government official and another former ally - both ex- Biya colleagues from the northern region of the nation.

Election Difficulties

Within the nation's English-speaking North-West and Southwest territories, where a extended separatist conflict persists, an voting prohibition lockdown has been established, halting commercial operations, travel and schooling.

Insurgents who have enforced it have threatened to target individuals who does vote.

Beginning in 2017, those attempting to establish a separate nation have been fighting state security.

The conflict has to date killed at no fewer than 6,000 lives and caused approximately 500,000 people from their residences.

Vote Outcome

Following the election, the Constitutional Council has two weeks to announce the findings.

The government official has previously cautioned that none of the contenders is authorized to declare victory in advance.

"Those who will attempt to announce results of the political race or any self-proclaimed victory against the regulations of the republic would have violated boundaries and should be ready to face retaliatory measures appropriate for their offense."