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The planet's most aged head of state - 92-year-old Paul Biya - has promised the nation's electorate "better days are ahead" as he aims for his 8th consecutive term in office on Sunday.

The 92-year-old has already been in office since 1982 - another 7-year mandate could see him rule for half a century reaching almost a century old.

Election Controversies

He resisted numerous appeals to resign and drew backlash for making merely a single campaign event, using the majority of the political race on a week-and-a-half personal visit to Europe.

A backlash over his use of an AI-generated election advertisement, as his challengers actively wooed supporters directly, prompted his quick return north on his return home.

Youth Population and Unemployment

Consequently for the vast majority of the citizenry, Biya has been the exclusive ruler they remember - over 60% of the nation's 30 million residents are below the quarter century mark.

Young political activist Marie Flore Mboussi urgently wants "fresh leadership" as she maintains "extended rule naturally results in a sort of complacency".

"After 43 years, the people are exhausted," she declares.

Young people's joblessness has become a particular issue of concern for most of the candidates competing in the election.

Almost forty percent of young citizens aged from 15-35 are unemployed, with 23% of college-educated youth experiencing problems in obtaining official jobs.

Rival Candidates

In addition to youth unemployment, the election system has created controversy, especially with the disqualification of a political rival from the presidential race.

The disqualification, approved by the legal authority, was generally denounced as a strategy to block any serious competition to President Biya.

Twelve candidates were cleared to vie for the leadership position, comprising an ex-government official and another former ally - both former Biya allies from the northern region of the nation.

Election Difficulties

Within the nation's English-speaking North-West and South-West territories, where a protracted separatist conflict persists, an poll avoidance closure has been imposed, halting business activities, travel and schooling.

Insurgents who have established it have threatened to target individuals who casts a ballot.

Since 2017, those working toward a separate nation have been fighting state security.

The conflict has so far caused the deaths of at no fewer than 6,000 people and forced approximately 500,000 people from their houses.

Election Results

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

The government official has previously cautioned that no candidate is allowed to announce winning prior to official results.

"Those who will seek to declare outcomes of the presidential election or any personal declaration of success contrary to the laws of the nation would have broken rules and should be ready to receive retaliatory measures commensurate to their violation."