Rui Rodrigues Elected Vitória SC President by Two-Vote Margin

Rui Rodrigues has been elected the new president of Vitória SC, securing victory by a razor-thin margin of just two votes. The election, held Saturday at the Pavilhão Desportivo Unidade Vimaranense, saw Rodrigues narrowly edge out his closest rival, Viriato Sampaio.

Rodrigues, representing List D, garnered the support of 2028 members out of the 6642 who cast their ballots, representing 30.5% of the valid votes. Viriato Sampaio, leading List C, closely followed with 2026 votes, also at 30.5%. Other candidates, Belmiro Pinto dos Santos (List A) and Júlio Vieira de Castro (List B), received 1327 and 1092 votes respectively.

The election saw a 48.8% turnout among eligible members, a figure higher than the previous election. Rodrigues, a 47-year-old businessman and accountant, previously served as vice-president of the Fiscal Council and the club's board. He is set to lead Vitória SC for the 2026-2029 triennium, following the resignation of former president António Miguel Cardoso in April.

António Miguel Cardoso had led the club for four years before his departure. The election process involved 148 blank votes and 21 null votes, with each member having one vote.