CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form N-1A of John Hancock Municipal Securities Trust of our reports dated July 9, 2026, relating to the financial statements and financial highlights of each of the funds listed in Appendix A (collectively, the “Funds”), which appear in John Hancock Municipal Securities Trust’s Certified Shareholder Report on Form N-CSR for the year ended May 31, 2026. We also consent to the references to us under the headings “Financial Highlights”, “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” and “Policy Regarding Disclosure of Its Portfolio Holdings” in such Registration Statement.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
September 23, 2026
Appendix A
| Trust Name |
Fund Name |
Opinion Date | ||
| John Hancock Municipal Securities Trust | John Hancock High Yield Municipal Bond Fund | July 9, 2026 | ||
| John Hancock Municipal Securities Trust | John Hancock Municipal Opportunities Fund | July 9, 2026 | ||
| John Hancock Municipal Securities Trust | John Hancock Short Duration Municipal Opportunities Fund | July 9, 2026 |