(April 3 – 11:45 ET) – Shareholders of Manulife Financial Corp. can now vote for annual meeting resolutions via the Internet or automated telephone.

Manulife is the first Canadian financial services organization and the first demutualized life insurance company to offer the Internet as a method of proxy voting.

The option to vote electronically is being offered to all registered and certain beneficial shareholders, depending on how the beneficially owned shares are held. “With the growing interest of the public to conduct business without paper, we are pleased to offer our shareholders a quick, convenient and secure way of voting,” said Edwina Stoate, vice president, Investor Relations at Manulife. “Votes cast through the Internet are received almost instantaneously and are tabulated automatically. In fact, it’s faster and more secure than submitting by mail.”

Shareholders who are unable to attend Manulife’s upcoming annual meeting on May 1, in Toronto are encouraged to place their vote for the election of directors and the appointment of auditors by using the Web site shown on their proxy or voting instruction form. Most shareholders in North America will also have the option of voting via a toll-free telephone number.