Cameroon’s 92-year-old President Paul Biya is widely expected to secure an eighth term as the country votes amid youth discontent and calls for change.
Voting began Sunday across Cameroon as 92-year-old President Paul Biya, the world’s oldest serving head of state, seeks to extend his 43-year rule in an election widely expected to hand him an eighth term in office.
Biya faces 11 challengers, including former employment minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary, 79, whose campaign has sparked enthusiasm among young voters in a nation where half the population is under 20.
Polling stations opened at 8 a.m. and will close at 6 p.m., with about eight million citizens eligible to vote.
“We shouldn’t be naive. We know full well the ruling system has ample means at its disposal to get results in its favour,” political scientist Stephane Akoa told AFP. However, he noted that the campaign had been “much livelier” than usual and “more likely to throw up surprises.”
Biya made a rare public appearance last week in Maroua, a strategic northern region once considered his stronghold. The poll is taking place amid separatist unrest in the English-speaking regions and widespread frustration over poverty, unemployment, and poor infrastructure.
Final results are expected by October 26, while the African Union and 55,000 observers are monitoring the vote.