The secret ballot may be an aspect of the constitution of our club. On many boards, if as few as 20% of board members request it then it must be performed in this way.
In the same way, there are probably specific rules around % votes in favour of the motion required in order for it to pass.
Regardless, the vote and outcome has probably occurred by now and I expect that they are discussing the implications of the decision and how to publicly/internally handle it one way or the other.
I don't really believe the secret ballot thing - it was a good line from Hammo though, he definitely knows how to drum up business. Our Constitution doesn't make any provisions for a secret ballot as far as I can tell.
And as has been mentioned, some Board members were most likely connected via phone hook up in any case.