Barcelona Football Club officially announced the launch of the club's presidential elections today, Monday, with the official announcement published across various media outlets to set the voting date for March 15, according to the Spanish newspaper 'Marca'.

The club's president, Joan Laporta, will step down from his duties during the board meeting this morning to focus on his election campaign, with Vice President Rafa Yuste, along with board members, taking over the club's leadership until July 1, when the election winner officially assumes the position.

Victor Font is considered the main opponent after finishing second in the 2021 elections, while Xavi Vilajoana, a former board member under Josep Maria Bartomeu, and Marc Ciria are also expected to participate. Candidates wishing to run must collect 2,337 valid signatures to form a nomination list, with the possibility of some candidates forming a joint platform.

Key dates of the election process:

February 9: Official announcement of the elections.

Until February 12: General draw to select board members and the electoral committee.

February 13 or 14: Establishment of the board and the electoral committee.

From February 15: Start of candidate support application submissions.

February 15 - 19: Display of the electoral register.

February 20 - 22: Handling objections to the register and approval of the final version.

February 23 - March 2: Submission of nomination lists.

March 3 - 5: Sorting applications and announcing candidates who have gathered the required number of member support.

March 6 - 13: Election campaign.

March 14: Day of reflection before voting.

March 15: Voting day.

Five voting centers will be prepared in the provinces of Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona, in addition to a center in the Principality of Andorra. The electoral register will be comprehensive, allowing members to vote at any of these centers regardless of their place of residence. The newspaper confirmed that postal voting will not be allowed, contrary to the demands of some candidates like Victor Font.