EXHIBIT 5(a) ============================= [GRAPHIC OMITTED] ============================== THIS CERTIFICATE IS TRANSFERABLE Organized Under the Laws SHARES NUMBER ============= ============= VOQ ============= ============= IN BOSTON OR IN NEW YORK CITY SEE REVERSE FOR CERTAIN DEFINITIONS of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts CUSIP: 920923-109 VAN KAMPEN MERRITT OHIO QUALITY MUNICIPAL TRUST - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This certifies that is the owner of - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Common Shares of beneficial interest of $0.01 par value per share of VAN KAMPEN MERRITT OHIO QUALITY MUNICIPAL TRUST CERTIFICATE OF SHARES (hereinafter called the "Trust") transferable on the books of the Trust by the holder hereof in person or by duly authorized attorney upon surrender of this certificate properly endorsed. This certificate is not valid unless countersigned by the Transfer Agent and registered by the Registrar. Witness the facsimile seal of the Trust and the facsimile signatures of its duly authorized officers. VAN KAMPEN MERRITT OHIO QUALITY MUNICIPAL TRUST MASSACHUSETTS SEAL TRUST * Dated: /s/ Ronald A. Nyberg /s/ Dennis J. McDonnell Secretary President COUNTERSIGNED AND REGISTERED: STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR, BY: Authorized Signature (c) NORTHERN BANK NOTE COMPANY ================================================================================ Van Kampen Merritt Ohio Quality Municipal Trust THE TRUST WILL FURNISH WITHOUT CHARGE TO EACH SHAREHOLDER WHO SO REQUESTS A STATEMENT OF THE POWERS, DESIGNATIONS, PREFERENCES AND RELATIVE, PARTICIPATING, OPTIONAL OR OTHER SPECIAL RIGHTS OF EACH CLASS OF SHARES OR SERIES THEREOF AND THE QUALIFICATIONS, LIMITATIONS OR RESTRICTIONS OF SUCH PREFERENCES AND/OR RIGHTS. ANY SUCH REQUEST SHOULD BE MADE TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TRUST. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations: TEN COM- as tenants in common UNIF GIFT MIN ACT-_______Custodian________ (Cust) (Minor) TEN ENT- as tenants by the entireties under Uniform Gifts to Minors JT TEN- as joint tenants with Act _________________________ right of survivorship and (State) not as tenants in common Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list. For value received, __________________ hereby sell, assign and transfer unto __________________________________________________________________________ PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE - ------------------------------------ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS OF ASSIGNEE ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ Shares of the Trust represented by the within Certificate, and do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint _________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ Attorney to transfer the said shares on the books of the within-named Trust with full power of substitution in the premises. Dated, ____________________ X_________________________________________________ NOTICE: THE SIGNATURE TO THIS ASSIGNMENT MUST CORRESPOND WITH THE NAME AS WRITTEN UPON THE FACE OF THE CERTIFICATE IN EVERY PARTICULAR, WITHOUT ALTERATION OR ENLARGEMENT, OR ANY CHANGE WHATEVER.