Presidential elections were held in Chile in 1881, during the War of the Pacific. Carried out through a system of electors, they resulted in the election of Domingo Santa MarÃÂa as president. The election was not free and fair, and occurred in the context of election violence. Santa MarÃÂa was the sole candidate after Manuel Baquedano's resignation. Santa MarÃÂa had been hand-picked by incumbent President Pinto. However, Baquedano received 12 electoral votes in Santiago.