Religious leaders in the country have been urged to refrain from being used by politicians.

The remarks have been said by board chairperson of the Malawi Economic Justice Network (MEJN) Martin Mtumbuka who is also catholic Bishop for Karonga diocese at a refresher training for faith leaders on policy and budget analysis in the capital Lilongwe.

Instead Mtumbuka has urged religious leaders to always side with a common Malawian.

He continued that leaders should focus on pushing for the welfare of the poor and those suffering in many ways since many of the poor are hardly heard by society.