(a) A Panel member shall disqualify themselves and withdraw from any case in which the member cannot accord a fair and impartial hearing. Any party may request the disqualification of any member by filing an affidavit with the Panel before the submission of the case, stating with particularity the grounds upon which it is claimed that a fair and impartial appeal cannot be accorded by the Panel member. The issue raised by the request shall be determined by the other members of the Panel. No member of the Panel shall withdraw voluntarily from any hearing, or be subject to disqualification, if this would prevent the Panel from acting in the particular case.

(b) An affidavit submitted to the Panel pursuant to this section shall become a part of the record.