A civil court has halted next Sunday’s elections after complaints from the Macri government about alleged irregularities in the voters’ registry. The decision raises questions about how the electoral process will proceed within the club’s jurisdiction and what measures will be needed to address the identified concerns before any new voting is scheduled.
Civil Judge Alejandra Abrevaya ordered the suspension of the Boca Juniors elections, which were planned for this Sunday the 3rd, following a formal complaint filed by opposition candidate Andres Ibarra. The ruling does not set a fresh date for voting, but it does state that the prohibition will stay in effect until the irregularities in the register have been resolved and verified. The court emphasized that the suspension remains in force to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process, even as the parties await a more thorough review of the registry’s entries.
In this development, the judiciary again appears to impose obstacles for the club’s members as they prepare to choose their new leadership, following a separate Buenos Aires court order last week that postponed the elections for 24 hours on grounds that included unusual assertions tied to religious considerations. The matter also involved the DAIA and other officials, who claimed their names had been used without consent in the process, a claim that has added to the controversy surrounding the voting arrangements.
Among the explanations offered by Abrevaya, head of Civil Court No. 11, are a number of inconsistencies that have drawn skeptical reactions. Critics say some of the cited irregularities concern “associate” categories aligned with supporters who allegedly filled in forms on days that were not school or work holidays, yet the dates cited by the judge fall on ordinary workdays rather than weekends, casting doubt on the seriousness of the alleged anomalies.
Hours after the ruling, Mauricio Macri addressed the situation directly in an interview with TNT Sports, urging a prompt and transparent process: “If the 13,000 votes can be organized efficiently, then we should proceed with the vote on Sunday.” The remark underscored the political pressure surrounding the club’s leadership selection and the debate over whether the electoral process can be conducted openly under close scrutiny.
The current leadership of Boca Juniors has long argued that the opposition, led by a faction linked to the former administration, is actively trying to prevent members from participating in the vote. They contend that the fan base, described as the club’s most sacred asset, should be empowered to cast their ballots without unnecessary hindrance. In recent comments, the vice president and presidential candidate Juan Román Riquelme urged an end to what he called partisan attempts to derail the election, stressing that fair competition is essential for the club’s future. He spoke during an interview with a national network, emphasizing the need for a clean, honorably conducted process that respects the tens of thousands of supporters who stand ready to participate.
In the broader context, the dispute around Boca Juniors’ electoral process has drawn attention to the mechanics of club governance, the role of verification procedures in voter eligibility, and the balance between due process and the rights of fans to participate in the club’s democratic life. As committees review the registry and determine the appropriate steps to ensure accuracy, stakeholders await a clear path forward that protects the integrity of the election while permitting timely participation by eligible voters. The outcome of this case could influence how similar disputes are handled in sports organizations across Argentina and beyond, highlighting the tension between administrative rigor and the expectations of a passionate supporter base.
Note: This summary reflects the ongoing public reporting on the situation as it unfolds, with attribution to the reporting outlets covering the events and statements from the involved parties.