José Miguel Corrales Rolando Araya A primary election was held among the members of Costa Rica’s National Liberation Party (PLN) on June 3, 2001 in order to choose PLN’s nominee for presidency in the 2002 general election.

This, as was common since the 70s,[2] was an open primary and as such all Costa Ricans could vote in it with the only requirement be signing membership of the party moments before entering the polls.

His main rivals were former party’s president Rolando Araya Monge (nephew of ex president Luis Alberto Monge)[1] and former minister Antonio Álvarez Desanti, the younger of the candidates.

A noticeable affected José Miguel Corrales acknowledged the defeat and announce his resignation to future attempts for presidency, while on the contrary Desanti also acknowledged the results but also that he will try to be nominated in coming elections.

Araya lost the presidential race against PUSC candidate Abel Pacheco.