I disagree - we have a general principle around the world that a democratically elected "leader" is the result of the votes from the population and thus should be recognised at representing those people. The problem is when democracy is subverted with various methods such as gerrymandering districts, making it harder for some demographics to vote, removing voter registrations of certain demographics, misrepresentation of facts by the mainstream media etc.

It is a real problem with countries declaring "democratic elections" which are mere shams of democracy.

And why was it possible for that rigging to occur? It sounds like a cop out, but the answer is once again centralization. The operation you described requires money, time, power, coercion, and so on. Isn't that a result of a two party system funded by a few hundred insanely wealthy individuals?