In total 11 political parties contested the election but it was seen as being primarily between ARENA and the opposition FMLN.[4] ARENA campaigned for a mandate to continue the economic reforms they had been pursuing[4] but was hurt in the election by a recent six-month strike by doctors.[3] Meanwhile, FMLN won support from those who did not feel they have benefited from the economic reforms introduced by ARENA[3] and they attacked the government over crime and declining economic growth.[4]
There were five deaths during the campaign related to the election and for three days around the election a ban on the sales of alcohol was introduced to prevent any trouble.[5] Election day itself saw problems with the electoral list, with reports of voters not being on the list, while some dead people were listed.[6]Turnout was low with only slightly less than 39% voting.[5]