Dubai: The General Assembly of the Social Solidarity Fund for Members of the Emirates Journalists Association elected its new board of directors for a three-year term last night at the association's headquarters in Dubai. The meeting was chaired by Mohammed Al Muhairi, representing the Ministry of Community Empowerment, and Musaed Al Balushi and Abdullah Al Muntaser, representatives of the Community Development Authority in Dubai.

The General Assembly reviewed the agenda items, which included approving the minutes of the previous meeting, approving the Board of Directors' report on its work for the year ending 2024, and approving the programs, activities, and work plan for the current year 2025.

The draft budget estimate for 2025 was also approved, the final accounts for the fiscal year ending 2024 were discussed, the auditor was selected and his remuneration determined, proposals submitted by members were considered, and a new board of directors was elected for the fund.

At the beginning of the general meeting, the mandates were reviewed and the legal quorum was confirmed in accordance with the Fund's bylaws. The meeting was attended by 50 members, 27 of whom attended in person and 23 by proxy, marking a significant turnout out of the 53 members entitled to vote.

The election process was conducted electronically, reflecting the spirit of transparency and flexibility that the UAE is committed to across its various institutions.

The election results revealed the victory of Fadhila Al Muaini, who topped the list with 45 out of 47 valid votes, a success rate of 96%. She was followed by Kalthoum Al Mandous with 40 votes, Hind Issa Al Nuaimi with 37 votes, Raya Al Mazrouei with 35 votes, and Yaqoub Al Awadhi with 21 votes.

During the General Assembly, Her Excellency Al Muaini reviewed the Fund's strategy for the coming years, which aims to provide a financial safety net for members that supports their social stability, enhances sustainability to ensure the continued provision of services, and develops programs that foster a culture of solidarity and mutual support among them.

Following the announcement of the results, the winners expressed their gratitude and appreciation to the wise leadership for providing a distinguished electoral environment that enabled the elections to be held in a well-organized atmosphere. They affirmed their commitment to working diligently to serve the Fund's members and implement programs that enhance its social role.

In a statement following her victory, Fadhila Al Muaini expressed her gratitude and appreciation for all the efforts that contributed to strengthening the role of the Fund and the success of the electoral process. She noted that this democratic celebration embodies the spirit of the UAE and its approach to organizing elections in accordance with approved laws and regulations, and the use of modern technological means that facilitated the voting process for voters via barcodes, for the first time in the Fund's elections. This enabled voting to be completed within minutes, embodying the digital development witnessed by the UAE.

Al Muaini also thanked the representatives of the Ministry of Community Empowerment and the Community Development Authority in Dubai for their role in overseeing the electoral process and their commitment to ensuring smooth procedures and accurate voting, in accordance with the highest standards of transparency and integrity.

She emphasized that the new board of directors will do its utmost to serve members over the next three years, particularly by strengthening partnerships aimed at providing a health insurance program and expanding loan grants to members, thus maximizing the benefits of the fund's services and enhancing the social solidarity system for journalists.