The Referendum on the financing of the Espai Barça will take place electronically on 19 December
The FC Barcelona Board of Directors, after a meeting at Camp Nou, have decide to call a binding referendum on the financing of the Espai Barça for Sunday 19 December. This referendum is called according to article 13 of the Club Statutes and in virtue of the initiative and authorisation approved by the Assembly of Delegates on 23 October who gave majority support (405 votes in favour, 21 against and 6 blank votes) to the Board of Directors to negotiate financing not in excess of 1.5 billion euros to make the Espai Barça project a reality. The Board have also decided that the binding vote take place electronically to encourage participation and to allow members to vote from anywhere in the world.
It will be the first time in FC Barcelona history, next Monday 29 November marks 122 years since its foundation, carries out a vote by electronic means, without conventional ballot boxes. The vote will take place from 9am CET until 9pm CET and will take place via the Club's official website via any type of device (mobile, tablet or computer).
The Club will provide a space at their facilities in the 1899 Auditori (and/or other additional areas) for those members who may have problems with electronic voting, or do not have such a device as to be able to carry out an electronic vote. Devices will be available so members can exercise their right to vote electronically at the Club's facilities. Additionally, various information points will be set up to help clarify any problems or questions that may arise.
Electoral census and conditions for voting
In order exercise their right to vote, the following conditions must be met: to be of the age of majority and not to be legally incapacitated, to have been a member for at least a year, no to be suspended as a member and to be included in the current electoral census in agreement with article 47 of the Statutes. The members with the right to vote who fulfil these condition are 110,159 of the 142,038 members that currently exist at the Club.
From 3 December to 7 December, both dates included, the members can consult the electoral census via the official website. Additionally, the census can be consulted in person at the OAB office on working days Monday to Friday from 10am CET to 7pm CET. In order to be able to exercise their right to vote the members must be registered in the electoral census. The census will close on 7 December.
The vote will have to be either affirmative, negative or in blank to the question:
"Do you ratify the decision of the Assembly of Delegate Members to authorise the Board of Directors to take the necessary steps to gain financing for the Espai Barça project for an amount not in excess of 1.5 billion euros?"
Public exposition and information campaign
From Saturday 27 November until the day of the referendum, an information campaign will take place as set out in articles 13 b) of the Statutes and events to provide information and communicate the details of the proposal that is subject to the members' referendum.
From Saturday 27 November, the Referendum for the Financing of the Espai Barça will be opened, situated in the esplanade alongside the main stand at Camp Nou in which details of the financing will be available as well as the latest news on the project and information on electronic voting. Organised sessions and guided visits are planned.
The Club will periodically send information to the members via the usual digital avenues, the BOC (Official Club Bulletin) and Infosocis, which will be received via e-mail. Furthermore, a special edition of the Revista Barça will be sent via a special BOC, a tryptic and a informative dossier will be handed out at the Exposition which will also be available on the Club's website and on a special microsite on the referendum. Members will also receive reminders related to the deadlines regarding the referendum via SMS.
In the Social Area the channel 'T'escoltem' on the website can be used so members, via e-mail, can contact directly the Club regarding any doubts they may have about the binding vote on the financing for Espai Barça. Each query will be replied to be a Club representative.
Moreover, members can contact the Club via telephone for any questions or clarifications on the process and nature of voting. 900 1899 00.
The Club will also launch a campaign in order to promote participation in the vote under the slogan "If we all vote, we will win!".
In the campaign the unique nature of the referendum will be highlighted as it is 100% electronic therefore strengthening the Club's democratic nature in which all members have a voice in the most important decision, such as the future of the Espai Barça. Now is the moment to vote: The Future is now, culers!