🔗 Share this article Will the world's most aged leader keep his title and attract a country of young electorate? The world's oldest head of state - nonagenarian Paul Biya - has pledged the nation's voters "better days are ahead" as he aims for his 8th consecutive presidential term on Sunday. The nonagenarian has stayed in office for over four decades - another seven-year term could see him rule for 50 years until he will be almost 100. Campaign Issues He ignored broad demands to resign and has been criticised for attending just one rally, spending most of the campaign period on a week-and-a-half private trip to Europe. Criticism over his dependence on an computer-generated campaign video, as his challengers courted voters on the ground, led to his hurried travel to the northern region on his return home. Young Population and Joblessness This indicates for the vast majority of the citizenry, Biya is the only president they have known - over 60% of the nation's 30 million inhabitants are under the age of 25. Young advocate Marie Flore Mboussi is desperate for "different faces" as she maintains "extended rule inevitably leads to a type of laziness". "After 43 years, the people are exhausted," she states. Young people's joblessness has become a particular issue of concern for nearly all the candidates competing in the election. Almost forty percent of youthful residents aged from 15-35 are unemployed, with 23% of recent graduates facing challenges in obtaining regular work. Rival Contenders In addition to young people's job issues, the electoral process has created debate, particularly regarding the disqualification of Maurice Kamto from the leadership competition. The disqualification, confirmed by the legal authority, was widely criticised as a strategy to stop any strong challenge to President Biya. Twelve contenders were cleared to vie for the country's top job, including an ex-government official and a previous supporter - each ex- Biya colleagues from the north of the nation. Election Difficulties In Cameroon's English-speaking Northwest and South-West regions, where a protracted insurgency continues, an poll avoidance closure has been imposed, stopping economic functions, travel and education. Rebel groups who have established it have warned to harm people who casts a ballot. Starting four years ago, those seeking to create a separate nation have been clashing with official military. The conflict has until now killed at no fewer than 6k people and caused approximately 500,000 others from their homes. Election Results Following the election, the highest court has fifteen days to reveal the outcome. The security chief has previously cautioned that no aspirant is authorized to claim success beforehand. "Those who will attempt to announce results of the political race or any unofficial win announcement in violation of the regulations of the republic would have crossed the red line and need to be prepared to encounter retaliatory measures commensurate to their violation."