Until recently Mr Funes had been comfortably ahead in the polls but the gap has narrowed in the past few days. The election campaign has reopened wounds from the 12-year civil war that claimed more than 70,000 lives. Violent clashes between left and right-wing militants have left many Salvadorans worried that neither side will accept defeat quietly.

“It's worrying - the propaganda has been very ugly,”

Rodrigo Ávila, 44, the Arena candidate, has been forced to defend his past as an army sniper who killed Marxist rebels in the 1980-1992 war. The former police chief has expressed admiration for Roberto D'Aubuisson, the right-wing death squad leader and Arena founder, but now insists his focus is on healing the country's divisions. “Our party has changed and evolved over time. My trajectory has been one of somebody who believes in peace,” he said.
... TimesOnLine

Can one believe the incumbent politician? Never, no matter who. I don't think I would suggest Avila as being different.