Yaoundé, Cameroon – Cameroonians are casting their ballots today in a presidential election that could extend the 43-year rule of President Paul Biya or usher in a new political era. At 92 years old, Biya, the world's oldest non-royal head of state, is running for an unprecedented eighth term in a vote overshadowed by the disqualification of his main rival and persistent questions about the country's future.

Over eight million registered voters are eligible to participate in the single-round election, where a simple majority is all that is needed to secure the presidency for the next seven years. This system heavily favors the incumbent, who has maintained an iron grip on the nation's state institutions for over four decades. His rule has been marked by stability for some but criticized for systemic corruption, high unemployment, and ongoing conflicts, including a separatist movement in English-speaking regions and jihadist violence in the north.

The path to Biya's re-election appears to have been cleared by the controversial decision from the electoral body, Elections Cameroon (ELECAM), to disqualify his most prominent rival, Maurice Kamto. Kamto's exclusion from the race has drawn criticism from human rights organizations and raised serious concerns about the credibility and fairness of the electoral process. While ELECAM reported receiving a last-minute candidacy declaration for Kamto, the final, official list contains just 12 candidates.

With Kamto out of the running, former government spokesperson Issa Tchiroma Bakary has emerged as a significant challenger. After defecting from the ruling party in June, Tchiroma has gained momentum by campaigning on a platform of change, tapping into widespread frustration over decades of economic stagnation and a desire for new leadership, particularly among the country's youth.

Despite an energized opposition, analysts predict Biya will secure another term. His campaign, run under the slogan "Greatness and Hope," has been characteristically low-key, relying on dominant coverage from state media. The government also recently postponed legislative and regional elections, a move it said was to ease the "electoral burden" on the country.

As polls close, the central question remains whether Cameroon is on the verge of a decisive turning point or set for another seven years of continuity under its long-serving leader. Official results are expected to be announced by ELECAM within 15 days.