Presidential elections were held in Chile in July 1851. Carried out through a system of electors, they resulted in the election of Manuel Montt as president. Montt was the country's first non-military president.
Montt's opponent, José MarÃÂa de la Cruz, refused to accept the results and started a rebellion, the Revolution of 1851, in Concepción. He was defeated by former president Manuel Bulnes.