(CPOD) Sept. 10, 2003 - The Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN) holds a slim lead over the ruling National Republican Alliance (ARENA) in El Salvador, according to a poll by UFC. 33 per cent of respondents would vote for the FMLN in the 2004 presidential election, while 31 per cent would support ARENA.

Schafik Handal is the candidate for the FMLN, a party assembled by former guerrilla leader. Businessman Antonio Saca is ARENA's entrant. An alliance between the Christian Democrat Party (PDC) and the United Democratic Center (CDU) nominated former FMLN member Hector Silva, who sits at three per cent.

El Salvador endured a 12-year civil war, which ended with a 1992 U.N.-brokered peace deal that dismissed dozens of military officers and called on the FMLN to lay down their arms. 70,000 people died during the conflict, and an estimated 1 million Salvadorians left the country. The next presidential elections are slated for Mar. 21, 2004.

Polling Data

What party would you vote for in the elections?

Source: UFC (Centro de Opinion Publica)
Methodology: Interviews to 2,014 Salvadorian voters, conducted from Aug. 27 to Sept. 2, 2003. Margin of error is 2.18 per cent.

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