Neethan Shan has won the municipal byelection in Ward 25, Scarborough—Rouge Park, securing his return to city hall. With all polls reporting, Shan received approximately 27 percent of the vote, defeating 19 other candidates. Anu Sriskandarajah, a fellow trustee, followed with about 18 percent, while businessman Shawn Allen garnered around 15 percent.

In his victory speech at the Scarborough Convention Centre, Shan emphasized the importance of representation for Scarborough residents. He stated, "Scarborough does elect progressive candidates," and pledged to ensure that the voices of the eastern suburb are heard at city hall. "Scarborough cannot be ignored any more. Scarborough cannot be disrespected and neglected any more," he added, promising to collaborate with other council members while also asserting his commitment to advocate for the community.

Shan's victory marks a political comeback for him. He previously served as a councillor and chair of the Toronto District School Board but has faced challenges in provincial races, having run unsuccessfully five times for the Ontario NDP. His recent role as chair of the school board ended when the provincial government stripped the board of its powers, citing financial mismanagement, a claim that Shan and other trustees have denied.

Adopting the NDP's signature orange as his campaign color, Shan received support from labor unions and Progress Toronto, a left-leaning group that endorsed Mayor Olivia Chow in her successful 2023 campaign. Despite their shared political background, Chow did not endorse any candidate in this byelection, leaving it unclear how closely Shan will align with her agenda. On the contentious issue of six-unit multiplexes, which Chow supports expanding across the city, Shan indicated that he believes they should only be allowed in specific areas of Scarborough—Rouge Park.

Shan made history in 2017 as the first Tamil-Canadian to serve on the city council but lost his re-election bid the following year to Jennifer McKelvie. The special election was called after McKelvie was elected as a Liberal MP for Ajax in April's federal election.

The byelection saw significant involvement from third-party groups. Progress Toronto and the Canadian Union of Public Employees Ontario supported Shan, while the right-wing group IntegrityTO campaigned against him. Some residents expressed concerns about the influence of outside organizations, advocating for an independent candidate who would prioritize local interests.

Scarborough—Rouge Park is Toronto's easternmost ward, characterized by a diverse population. According to the 2021 census, over three-quarters of its 100,000 residents are visible minorities, and more than half are immigrants, including a notable Tamil community in the northern part of the ward. The median household income in the area is $105,000, which is higher than the city average, and the population is slightly older than the overall Toronto demographic.

The ward is represented federally by a Liberal and provincially by a Conservative. In the 2023 mayoral election, Scarborough—Rouge Park was nearly evenly divided between Chow and her centrist opponent, Ana Bailão, who won by just 39 votes. The byelection is estimated to have cost the city $550,000, according to a report presented to the council in May.