concede an election

If the vote is relatively close, it can be unclear when it is appropriate for a losing candidate to concede an election.

"There are other contenders," I said, not about to concede an election I have for some time deluded myself that I alone would decide.

Concession (politics): failure to challenge or cessation of challenging, as in "conceding an election" or "conceding a game".

"I am begging you to have patience," he told the boisterous crowd, making it clear that he was not yet ready to concede an election his supporters believe he rightfully won.