Moderate Islamists on Monday claimed victory in Tunisias first democratic election,sending a message to other states in the region that long-sidelined Islamists are challenging for power after the Arab Spring. Official results from Sundays vote have not been announced,but the Ennahda party said its workers had tallied the figures from results posted at polling stations around the country. The first confirmed results show that Ennahda has obtained first place, campaign manager Abdelhamid Jlazzi said. Mindful that some people in Tunisia and elsewhere see Islamists as a threat to modern,liberal values,the party official stressed Ennahda would wield its power in a responsible way. Even if its victory is confirmed when official results from the vote the first democratic election in Tunisias history are released,Ennahda will still have to share power with other,secularist parties. Sundays vote was for an assembly which will sit for one year to draft a new constitution.
