Ex-Liberal candidate Jessica Whelan says she is confident she can win Lyons as an independent

“I can still win the seat of Lyons,” a defiant Jessica Whelan has today declared in a post on social media.

Liberal Candidate for Lyons Jessica Whelan at the Agfest on Thursday. PICTURE: (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas)

EX-LIBERAL candidate Jessica Whelan says she is still confident she can win the Tasmanian seat of Lyons as an independent.

A day after the Liberal Party accepted the candidate’s resignation, Ms Whelan has said she is still in the race and urged her supporters to vote for her.

“I can still WIN the seat of LYONS!” Ms Whelan wrote on Facebook.

“I put my hand up and put my life on hold to represent the people of Lyons. I have worked extremely hard to win the support, respect and vote of those in my electorate. I was polling extremely well and was on track to win on the 18th May.

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“My personal profile was attacked and my campaign was destroyed. The level that my opponents have lowered themselves to have both shocked and saddened me. The people of Lyons deserve better.

“The people of Lyons deserve a representative who will fight for their needs in Canberra. not tow the party line. particularly the Labor Party line.

“For the first time ever, the people of Lyons have the chance to elect an independent who CAN actually WIN the seat.

“Myl (sic) page has been removed, my signs will be coming down, my advert will be coming of air, I have no promotional material and absolutely no professional support network or donators. I don’t even have any ‘How To Vote’ cards to hand out at the polling booths.

“What I do have though is the determination to be the first independent and the first female elected in the Federal Seat of Lyons.

“I can do this, but not without your support. I need you to like and share my post so people are aware that I’m still in the race and more importantly, I need you to VOTE 1 for Jessica Whelan on the 18th May.”

Ms Whelan was on Thursday accused in Tasmania’s parliament of making several Islamophobic comments on Facebook, including one about genital mutilation.

She denied responsibility, saying it was “not my post and anyone that knows me will know that is not my post”.