A losing or trailing camp, often an incumbent, alleges fraud during or after the count without evidence that withstands scrutiny, while election authorities, courts and police defend the process. Results usually stand, but the claims can fuel protest and unrest.
Andrés Manuel López Obrador alleged fraud after a razor-thin loss to Felipe Calderón and demanded a full recount.
What happened next: The electoral tribunal certified Calderón; months of protest followed, but he took office.result-stands
Raila Odinga challenged Uhuru Kenyatta's victory, citing irregularities in result transmission.
What happened next: The Supreme Court annulled the result; Kenyatta won a rerun boycotted by the opposition, amid deadly unrest.annulled-rerun
Donald Trump claimed fraud while mail ballots were still being counted and his early lead shrank.
What happened next: Courts and officials found no basis; Joe Biden was certified; the Capitol was attacked on 6 January 2021.result-stands-unrest
Keiko Fujimori alleged fraud after narrowly losing to Pedro Castillo and sought to annul thousands of ballots.
What happened next: The electoral authority rejected the challenges and proclaimed Castillo about six weeks after the vote.result-stands
Jair Bolsonaro, having questioned the voting system, lost narrowly to Lula; his party challenged the result.
What happened next: The electoral court rejected the challenge and fined the party; supporters stormed government buildings on 8 January 2023.result-stands-unrest
Share of the 5 cases above that resolved this way. Small samples: treat as a prior, not a forecast.
With about 90% counted, neither bloc has 61 seats, Arab parties hit a record 19, and Likud alleges fraud that police say has no supporting evidence.
