The by-election has already drawn national attention after DAP-K called for the disqualification of UDA candidate David Ndakwa over allegations of voter bribery and violence.
Panyako said his life is under threat and alleged that a group of unidentified individuals has been trailing him.
He claimed that he had intelligence pointing to a coordinated plan to assassinate him as voting got underway.
He did not name any suspects but insisted that the threat was politically motivated.
Panyako called on security agencies to act swiftly, saying the situation could escalate if authorities failed to intervene.
The candidate urged police to offer him extra protection, stating that the safety of all aspirants is essential for a peaceful and credible election.
He also appealed to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission and national government officials to ensure a secure environment for the by-election.
Local security officials had not issued a public response by the time of reporting.
Residents in Malava expressed concern about rising tension and urged authorities to maintain order as voting continues.
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