Deakin Labor candidate Shireen Morris has hit out at “disgraceful” graffiti vandals after a number of campaign posters featuring her image were defaced.

The young lawyer and postdoctoral fellow was depicted as wearing a niqab on several posters around the electorate in Melbourne’s outer eastern suburbs.

Dr Morris took to Twitter to share her disappointment, accusing the vandals of inciting Islamophobia.

Using Islamophobia to try a secure votes… disgraceful. #DeakinDeservesBetter #auspol pic.twitter.com/LetDk2cc11

— Shireen Morris (@ShireenMorrisMs) May 17, 2019

Hundreds of Twitter users rushed to show their support, with many labelling the act “outrageous” and “desperate”.

Dr Morris is challenging Liberal incumbent Michael Sukkar for the now marginal seat.

Labor has only won in Deakin twice in the past 80 years but Dr Morris has emerged as a popular choice among voters.

Mr Sukkar was one of the key players pushing for Peter Dutton to become Prime Minister during the dramatic ousting of Malcolm Turnbull last year.

The Liberal MP has been in the seat since 2013 and holds it on a 6.4 margin, but his declining popularity will mean he will have to fight to retain it.