Members of Portuguese football club Benfica turned out in significantly higher numbers for the ongoing presidential election, with officials reporting a fast and smooth voting process.
José Pereira da Costa, President of the General Assembly Table, announced an updated count, stating that 35,606 members had cast their ballots. This figure represents a significant increase of 15,000 votes compared to the 20,880 recorded at the same time during the first round of voting two weeks prior.
“It’s a very large number,” Pereira da Costa said, expressing satisfaction. “It’s a number that makes us happy, satisfied, and we expect mobilization to continue.”
He emphasized the efficiency of the current voting process, noting that there are no waiting times or queues at the polling sections. A previously reported issue at the Quinta do Conde voting location has also been resolved.
Pereira da Costa highlighted the rapid flow of voters, stating that sections where voting previously took up to 90 minutes are now processing ballots in just two to three minutes. He suggested this improved speed could encourage even greater participation.
Earlier in the day, the campaign for candidate Noronha Lopes lodged a claim regarding a message sent overnight by Rui Costa’s campaign to presidents of Benfica fan clubs. Pereira da Costa downplayed the incident, referring to it as a “claim” rather than a formal complaint.
He stated that the message appeared to be an appeal for mobilization, a practice all campaigns have engaged in. The matter, he added, would be addressed in due course.
Pereira da Costa also clarified an issue involving a few members, including Margarida Prieto, who initially voted without physical identification cards. He confirmed that all members voted with their membership cards. A small number presented a legible photograph of their citizen card on their phones.
“No member will vote without it now,” Pereira da Costa assured, indicating the identification issue has been resolved for future voters.