Moore tries to block Alabama result

Alabama Republican Roy Moore filed a court challenge late on Wednesday to the outcome of a US Senate election he unexpectedly lost, hours before officials in the state were due to certify his opponent's victory.

Doug Jones became the first Democrat in a quarter century to win a Senate seat in the Republican stronghold state when he was declared the winner of the December 12 ballot.

When he takes office, the Republican majority in the upper chamber will narrow to 51 of the 100 seats.

Moore, a former chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court whose campaign was dogged by sexual harassment accusations that he denies, has not conceded defeat despite being urged by President Donald Trump to do so.

In Wednesday's filing in the Montgomery Circuit Court, Moore alleged that potential voter fraud had denied him the chance of victory, and sought to halt a state canvassing board meeting that was scheduled to ratify Jones' win yesterday.

The board consists of Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, Attorney General Steve Marshall and Secretary of State John Merrill.

"We call on Secretary of State Merrill to delay certification until there is a thorough investigation," Moore said in a statement posted on line by his campaign team.