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The world's oldest head of state - 92-year-old Paul Biya - has pledged Cameroon's electorate "better days are ahead" as he pursues his eighth straight term in office this weekend.

The nonagenarian has already been in office since 1982 - another seven-year mandate could see him rule for half a century reaching almost a century old.

Election Controversies

He defied widespread calls to leave office and has been criticised for attending just one rally, spending most of the campaign period on a week-and-a-half personal visit to the European continent.

Negative reaction regarding his use of an artificial intelligence created campaign video, as his opponents sought supporters on the ground, led to his hurried travel north after coming back.

Youth Voters and Joblessness

This indicates for the large portion of the population, Biya is the only president they experienced - above 60% of Cameroon's 30 million people are under the 25 years old.

Youthful political activist Marie Flore Mboussi urgently wants "different faces" as she maintains "extended rule inevitably leads to a sort of laziness".

"Following four decades, the people are exhausted," she declares.

Employment challenges for youth has been a particular talking point for the majority of the candidates competing in the election.

Approximately forty percent of youthful Cameroonians aged from 15 and 35 are jobless, with 23% of recent graduates facing challenges in finding formal employment.

Rival Candidates

Beyond youth unemployment, the voting procedure has generated dispute, particularly regarding the exclusion of a political rival from the presidential race.

His exclusion, approved by the highest court, was widely criticised as a strategy to prevent any serious competition to President Biya.

12 contenders were approved to vie for the country's top job, featuring Issa Tchiroma Bakary and another former ally - both ex- Biya associates from the north of the nation.

Voting Difficulties

In Cameroon's English-speaking Northwest and Southwest regions, where a protracted insurgency continues, an voting prohibition restriction has been imposed, paralysing economic functions, movement and learning.

Rebel groups who have established it have warned to target people who casts a ballot.

Beginning in 2017, those attempting to establish a breakaway state have been battling official military.

The conflict has so far caused the deaths of at least six thousand people and forced nearly half a million residents from their residences.

Election Results

Once polling concludes, the highest court has 15 days to reveal the results.

The security chief has previously cautioned that none of the contenders is allowed to announce winning in advance.

"Candidates who will seek to announce results of the political race or any self-proclaimed victory against the rules of the country would have violated boundaries and must prepare to encounter penalties appropriate for their violation."