The main opposition party, the Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN), won the most seats in election at 31.

[4] 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.

[5] The FMLN remained the largest party in the Legislative Assembly winning 31 seats the same as the previous election in 2000.

[4] At the same time as the legislative election, the 262 municipalities held elections with the FMLN retaining the most important post, the mayoralty of San Salvador, when Carlos Rivas Zamora defeated Evelyn Jacir de Lovo of ARENA.