I think the decision of having a secret ballot is a matter of policy, and I can understand the reasons behind it in terms of trying to maybe take out the party leadership influence--diminish the party discipline--allowing the member to make a more individual choice than a party choice. It has its advantages. Having run a few of those secret ballots myself, I can say it certainly has proven its worth in a speakership of a House of Commons process. But whether an officer of Parliament gets a semblance of unanimity to a secret ballot, I think the original round of consultations on the candidates will determine the outcome more than a secret ballot. I'm not sure.
What I'm saying is, what does the secret ballot substantially add to the selection? You're only voting for one person at one point. It's not as if you're going for a slate of candidates.