There's a difference between outright denying the actual results of the election versus abhorring the path that got the victor there.

By "systemic problems," I'm referring to things such as gerrymandering, restrictive ballot access, dark money and dirty money in campaigns, procedural loopholes, and media-based sensationalism/corruption in political reporting. These factors aren't always equally present in every single political race. But they can be there.

Saying "congratulations" to the victor when they happen implies consent with sectarian privilege and political corruption.