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The planet's oldest leader - 92-year-old Paul Biya - has pledged Cameroon's voters "better days are ahead" as he pursues his eighth straight presidential term on Sunday.

The nonagenarian has stayed in office for over four decades - another seven-year term could keep him in power for half a century until he will be almost 100.

Election Issues

He resisted numerous appeals to resign and drew backlash for only showing up for a single campaign event, spending most of the political race on a 10-day unofficial journey to the European continent.

A backlash over his dependence on an computer-generated election advertisement, as his challengers sought constituents directly, prompted his quick return north on his return home.

Young Voters and Unemployment

It means that for the vast majority of the people, Biya is the only president they have known - above 60% of the nation's 30 million inhabitants are under the quarter century mark.

Youthful political activist Marie Flore Mboussi is desperate for "different faces" as she thinks "prolonged leadership naturally results in a kind of inertia".

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

Youth unemployment remains a particular discussion topic for the majority of the aspirants participating in the vote.

Approximately forty percent of youthful residents between 15-35 are without work, with 23% of young graduates encountering difficulties in finding formal employment.

Rival Contenders

Apart from youth unemployment, the election system has generated dispute, especially with the removal of an opposition leader from the presidential race.

The removal, confirmed by the Constitutional Council, was widely criticised as a tactic to block any serious competition to the current leader.

Twelve contenders were approved to vie for the leadership position, comprising an ex-government official and Bello Bouba Maigari - each previous Biya associates from the north of the country.

Election Difficulties

Within the nation's English-speaking North-West and South-West territories, where a long-running insurgency ongoing, an poll avoidance restriction has been imposed, paralysing economic functions, movement and learning.

Insurgents who have established it have warned to attack people who casts a ballot.

Beginning in 2017, those seeking to create a independent territory have been battling government forces.

The conflict has to date caused the deaths of at least 6k lives and forced almost half a million people from their houses.

Vote Outcome

After Sunday's vote, the Constitutional Council has two weeks to announce the results.

The security chief has previously cautioned that no candidate is authorized to declare victory beforehand.

"Candidates who will try to reveal findings of the leadership vote or any personal declaration of success contrary to the laws of the country would have crossed the red line and should be ready to face penalties matching their offense."