The air around Benfica’s elections in October is already buzzing. Club president José Pereira da Costa recently gathered candidates. They aimed to smooth out some details for the upcoming vote at the Estádio da Luz. Most candidates showed up, though Rui Costa’s team was notably absent. One topic, however, quickly turned a simple discussion into a heated debate: electronic voting.
The rules are clear: electronic voting needs every candidate to agree. Without everyone on board, the idea is put on hold. And that’s exactly what happened. Candidate Noronha Lopes flatly refused to allow electronic voting. This means no digital ballots, not even in specific areas where it might have made sense.
The disagreement didn’t stay quiet for long. Cristóvão Carvalho, a lawyer and another voice in the Benfica community, took to social media. He wasn’t shy about criticizing candidates who sent representatives instead of attending the crucial meeting themselves. This was a clear jab at Noronha Lopes. Carvalho then blasted the lack of agreement on electronic voting. He pointed out the major drawback: “An unyielding stance against electronic voting stops all Benfica fans from voting easily. This is especially true for those living outside Lisbon and outside the country. They deserve a clear, secure, and modern way to cast their ballots.” He pushed for a system that’s easy for every member to use, no matter where they live. It’s worth noting, the electronic voting idea was only ever meant for members in distant regions and other countries, not everyone.
Noronha Lopes’s team remains firmly against electronic voting. If they don’t change their mind in future meetings, the option will stay off the table for good. On the other hand, João Diogo Manteigas’s campaign is open to the idea. He believes electronic voting could work for members on the islands and abroad, as long as the process is properly checked by outside groups. But for now, no handshake means no online voting. This digital tool, which could make voting simpler for many, is currently out of reach.
