Joan Laporta has resigned as Barcelona president ahead of re-standing for the role when club members go to the polls on March 15.
Club regulations stipulate that the incumbent president must stand down ahead of elections, with a management commission overseeing the day-to-day running of the club in the meantime.
Laporta, who took office in March 2021 after winning 54 per cent of the vote, steps down after nearly five years in charge in line with club statutes. Vice President Rafa Yuste will act as president for the next three and a half months.
Lawyer Laporta is aiming to reclaim the role at the ballot box and return to office on July 1. He is widely viewed as the favourite against long-time rival Victor Font.
Former club executive Xavier Vilajoana and economist Marc Ciria, making his first run in a Barcelona election, have also confirmed their intention to stand as candidates.
Around 100 000 Barcelona members of legal age with at least one year of membership are eligible to vote.
Barcelona confirmed the election will again be held across multiple venues, a decision designed to increase the turnout. Polling stations will be located at the club’s facilities, in the three other Catalan provincial capitals of Girona, Tarragona and Lleida, and in Andorra la Vella.
The club said postal voting will not be permitted, despite requests from opposition candidates. “This was implemented on an exceptional basis in the 2021 elections due to the Covid-19 pandemic,” Barcelona said in a statement.
More than 20 000 of the 55 000 members who voted in the 2021 election did so by post.