[2] Her campaign platform promised to focus on improving the living conditions of women, as well as addressing unemployment and fighting corruption.

[10] Zainal was elected in December 2018 alongside five other women, winning her seat outright against the incumbent, Khalifa al-Ghanim, who had narrowly defeated her in 2014.

[10] Bahrain does not have a quota for female representatives but while gender was seen as less of an issue in 2018,[12] billboards of Zanial were torn up and defaced and other candidates reported receiving online threats.

[13][14][15] Zainal said, "My victory has broken the rule of male domination of this district and indicates that the people of the area have reached the conviction and maturity that make them not look at candidate’s gender, but at their capabilities and ability to take responsibility.

"[11] On 12 December 2018, Zainal was elected Speaker of the Council of Representatives with 25 of the 40 votes and then appointed by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.