Is Trump's claim of election rigging helping him make a comeback in the polls?

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is continuing to narrow Hillary Clinton's lead on him, also topping several national polls, in what may be a reaction to his "rigged election" claims.

In a 21 October four-way poll by IBD/TIPP Tracking including Gary Johnson and Jill Stein, Trump is ahead of Clinton with 41 points to her 40, while the same poll by Rasmussen Reports has Trump leading Clinton by two points, Real Clear Politics reported.

A head-to-head race by LA Times/USC Tracking has Trump leading by one point on 45 to Clinton's 44 points, although a two-way poll by IBD/TIPP Tracking has Clinton ahead by two points with 43 to Trump's 41.

However, the LA Times/USC Tracking survey — takes data differently from other polls and as such is often at odds with other polls.

Another poll by Reuters/Ipsos has Trump behind Clinton by four points — a gain of three points for the Republican compared to the same poll two weeks ago.

The data collected by Reuters suggests Trump's claims the election is rigged are playing well with his supporters, despite the backlash following his comments at the final presidential debate that he may not accept the result of the November election.

US president Barack Obama was among those who slammed Trump's suggestionthe election was rigged and that he may not accept the result, telling supporters at a Clinton rally the GOP nominee should "stop whining and go try to make his case to win votes."

He said: "That is both irresponsible and, by the way, doesn't really show the kind of leadership and toughness you want out of a president.

"You start whining before the game is even over? If whenever things are going badly for you and you lose, you start blaming someone else, then you don't have what it takes to be in this job."