KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo — The opposition presidential candidate who says he was cheated from victory in this vast country’s long-delayed election said Friday that he would petition the Constitutional Court for a recount.

The announcement by the candidate, Martin Fayulu, who had been shown by polls to be heavily favored in the race, came as questions about the fairness of the vote intensified. The United Nations Security Council held a meeting to air concerns with Congolese officials, including the leader of the country’s Electoral Commission.

The Dec. 30 election had raised hopes for the first peaceful and democratic transfer of power in the Democratic Republic of Congo since independence in 1960.