The opposition presidential candidate in last week's elections in Honduras has demanded a recount, claiming tally sheets were altered, ballots were cast by dead or absent people and polling stations were inadequately monitored.

Juan Orlando Hernández, of the ruling National party, was declared the winner with 37% of the votes, compared to 29% for Xiomara Castro. Six other candidates shared the remainder.

The voting was monitored by the European Union and Organisation of American States, which said the process was transparent, though there were irregularities, including a faulty system for issuing poll workers' credentials and electoral lists in which people who are either dead or who left Honduras long ago could account for up to 30% of registered voters. "Transparency does not guarantee that there are no mistakes in the process," said José Antonio de Gabriel, deputy chief of the European Union's observer mission. "But we do see the electoral tribunal has the will to correct them."

Castro, 54, and her leftist Libre party insist that the irregularities go beyond mistakes and amount to election fraud. She called the election "a disgusting monstrosity that has robbed me of the presidency" and said she would not recognise Hernández's government.

Castro later led thousands of supporters on to the streets of Tegucigalpa to protest against the result. The demonstration passed off peacefully.