New Delhi, Oct. 24 -- The Trump administration has asked a federal court to block certification of Alaska's US Senate election if Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan loses, arguing that a second candidate with a nearly identical name could confuse voters in a closely watched contest that may help determine control of the Senate.

The lawsuit, filed by the US Justice Department in Alaska on Thursday, seeks to prevent officials from certifying a result if the incumbent might have won had votes intended for him not gone to the other candidate, Daniel J Sullivan.

President Donald Trump confirmed on Friday that he had personally ordered the legal action.

"I'm the one that said 'do it,'" Trump told reporters in Florida, acknowledging his direct...