Florida heads for possible recounts

Key results in this week's US elections hung in the balance Thursday, two days after polling, with accusations flying of voter fraud and corruption, as several races appeared headed for recounts.

The Republican challenger in Florida's closely-fought Senate seat, said he was suing two election officials, as his apparent lead in the contest narrowed.

"The people of Florida deserve fairness and transparency," Rick Scott told reporters.

"Every Floridian should be concerned there may be rampant fraud happening in Palm Beach and Broward Counties."

Scott, who is the state's sitting governor, said he was ordering an official investigation into his own race.

The dramatic announcement prompted a tweet from President Donald Trump alleging a "big corruption scandal" while fellow Republican Marco Rubio accused Democrats of a coordinated effort to "steal the election."

Florida was also the site of bitterly-fought legal battles in the 2000 presidential election.

Those were halted by the US Supreme Court, and George W. Bush defeated Al Gore by 537 votes in Florida, giving him the edge in the electoral college and handing him the White House.

Both Scott's race for the Senate -- against Democrat incumbent Bill Nelson -- and the state's governor election appeared headed for mandatory recounts.