BOSTON -- Both candidates in last week’s hotly contested Boston state senate race requested a recount Monday.

State senator Dianne Wilkerson and challenger Sonia Chang-Diaz took out petition papers from the Secretary of State's office and submitted the necessary signatures to the Boston Election Department.

Chang-Diaz stunned Wilkerson, a 15-year incumbent, by defeating her by 228 votes in last Tuesday’s election.

The signatures must be certified by the Boston Election Department before a recount can take place. Wilkerson requested that wards 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 be recounted. Chang-Diaz requested that ward 19 be recounted.

Spokesman Jeff Ross said Wilkerson was not initially inclined to seek a recount, but reports of voting irregularities prompted her change of heart.

"The constituency is very upset and they want to make sure their votes are counted," Ross said. "This is really about addressing that concern."

Supporters of Wilkerson -- the only black member of the Senate -- said some ballot boxes were broken or not counted properly and at least one voting place looked closed even though it was open.