The air around Benfica’s upcoming presidential election is thick with talk. One recent gathering, meant to iron out election rules with the General Assembly Board (MAG), sparked a strong reaction. Cristóvão Carvalho, a candidate for the club’s top job, attended this crucial meeting. But he found himself as the only one there representing the candidates.
Carvalho didn’t hold back, calling it “regrettable.” He believes other candidates failed to grasp the importance of discussing the rules for this election. These rules, he stressed, will shape the future of Portugal’s biggest football club. Benfica boasts over 400,000 members, and a large number of them live outside Portugal. It makes the voting process tricky for many.
The lawyer suggested that some candidates prioritize their own election plans. These personal ambitions, he argued, seemed to matter more than what was best for Benfica. The meeting itself included five out of the six candidate lists. Notably, Rui Costa’s list was absent. Discussions covered electronic voting and other election processes.
Carvalho vowed to keep fighting for members to access their vote. He pointed out long-standing questions about how members cast their ballots. Many cannot vote in person due to health, travel, or living far from a Benfica fan club. He sees online voting as the clear path forward.
He insists that implementing online voting, under agreed rules, is vital. This move would ensure true access for all members, he believes. It would give every single member the tools needed to vote with a clear conscience.
Carvalho then shared his campaign’s promise: “For Benfica.” He made it clear that his team fights, debates, and works tirelessly for the club. They are focused on finding solutions to put Benfica back where it belongs. The goal is to dominate national sports and win European titles. He declared that if elected on October 25th, they would immediately begin the hard work.