Alabama secretary of state says Jones to be certified despite Moore's refusal to concede

WASHINGTON, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill said Thursday that Democrat Doug Jones will be certified as the winner of the U.S. Senate race, despite Republican Roy Moore's refusal to concede.

Merrill told CNN that he would meet Thursday afternoon with Alabama Governor Kay Ivey and the state Attorney General Steve Marshall to certify Jones' victory, and that Jones would be sworn in by Vice President Mike Pence when the Senate returns in early January.

Moore refused to concede in the wake of the election result, and he filed a lawsuit late Wednesday raising claims of election fraud.

He asked for a delay in certifying Jones as the winner and called for "a new special election."

"This is not a Republican or Democrat issue as election integrity should matter to everyone," Moore said in a statement.

Merrill said he has so far not found evidence of voter fraud, but that his office will investigate any complaint that Moore submits.

In response, a spokesman for Jones labeled the Moore's lawsuit as a "desperate attempt," while urging the Republican to move on.

Moore was defeated by Jones in Alabama's special election earlier this month to fill the Senate seat that previously belonged to Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

Jones won the race by about 20,000 votes, making him the first Democrat in 25 years to win a Senate seat in Alabama while trimming the Republican Senate majority to 51-49.

Moore's campaign was dogged by sexual misconduct accusations, including some involving teenage girls decades ago, but he has denied all allegations, according to media reports. Enditem