The state of Georgia in the US has confirmed it will recount full millions of election ballots by hand despite the fact that no evidence of widespread fraud has been presented.

Election officials announced an audit of the result, meaning a full recount is triggered.

"With the margin being so close, it will require a full, by-hand recount in each county," Georgia's secretary of state, Brad Raffensperger, said at a press conference.

He wants the recount to start by the end of the week and expects it to take up until the certification deadline of 20 November.

Recounting all votes means that a result will not be announced until November 20.

Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger broke the news on Wednesday, at a press conference in Atlanta saying: "With the margin being so close it will require a full by hand recount in each county."

According to Raffensperger, the action "will help build confidence" in legitimizing the election results.