TAIPEI, Mar 12 (AP) -- Under heavy security, officials on Monday began a recount of ballots cast in December's closely fought mayoral election in the Taiwanese city of Kaohsiung, a court spokesman said.

In the Dec. 9 election in Taiwan's second largest city, the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's Chen Chu squeaked past Huang Jun-ying of the Nationalists by 1,114 votes out of a total of some 770,000 cast.

Chen took office on Dec. 25, but Huang alleged there were irregularities and demanded a recount.

Kaohsiung District Court spokesman Tu Yu-tou said a full recount was ordered because the spoiled and invalid ballots totaled more than 6,000, well over the margin of victory.

The recount is expected to complete within a week, he said.

The United Evening News quoted Chen's attorney, Chou Tsun-lai, as saying he believed the election result will not be overturned because there were no indications of vote-rigging.