🔗 Share this article Will this world's oldest leader keep the position and woo a nation of youthful electorate? The world's oldest head of state - nonagenarian Paul Biya - has pledged the nation's electorate "better days are ahead" as he seeks his eighth straight presidential term this weekend. The nonagenarian has stayed in power since 1982 - an additional 7-year term could extend his reign for half a century until he will be almost a century old. Election Issues He defied numerous appeals to leave office and faced criticism for making merely a single campaign event, using the majority of the election season on a 10-day personal visit to Europe. Criticism over his dependence on an computer-generated political commercial, as his rivals courted constituents directly, saw him rush north upon his arrival. Young Voters and Joblessness Consequently for the vast majority of the population, Biya is the only president they have known - over sixty percent of the nation's 30 million inhabitants are younger than the 25 years old. Youthful campaigner Marie Flore Mboussi strongly desires "fresh leadership" as she maintains "longevity in power inevitably leads to a sort of inertia". "Following four decades, the population are tired," she states. Youth unemployment remains a specific talking point for the majority of the aspirants competing in the political race. Nearly forty percent of youthful residents between 15 to 35 years are without work, with 23% of college-educated youth encountering difficulties in obtaining formal employment. Rival Candidates Beyond young people's job issues, the electoral process has created controversy, especially with the disqualification of Maurice Kamto from the presidential race. The disqualification, confirmed by the Constitutional Council, was generally denounced as a tactic to prevent any strong challenge to the incumbent. A dozen contenders were cleared to vie for the presidency, including Issa Tchiroma Bakary and a previous supporter - the two previous Biya associates from the north of the country. Election Challenges In Cameroon's Anglophone Northwest and South-West territories, where a long-running separatist conflict continues, an poll avoidance closure has been imposed, paralysing business activities, travel and schooling. Rebel groups who have imposed it have warned to attack individuals who participates. Beginning in 2017, those attempting to establish a breakaway state have been fighting government forces. The fighting has until now killed at minimum 6,000 people and forced approximately half a million others from their residences. Vote Outcome Once polling concludes, the highest court has 15 days to declare the outcome. The security chief has earlier advised that no aspirant is allowed to announce winning in advance. "Individuals who will try to reveal findings of the political race or any personal declaration of success against the rules of the country would have violated boundaries and must prepare to face consequences commensurate to their offense."