Most software projects don't have the same threat models as "most free democratic countries". In fact, while we've settled on some level of democracy being a good thing in running our countries, we're very much open to other approaches in software development, often using methods closer to monarchy or centrally planned communism, and not ruling out complete anarchy.
With that in mind, it's not clear that just because Debian embraces some of the trappings of democracy, it should also insist on the secrecy of the ballot. Non-secret ballots have their advantages too - even your cited "free democratic countries" use them at the parliamentary level.
With that in mind, it's not clear that just because Debian embraces some of the trappings of democracy, it should also insist on the secrecy of the ballot. Non-secret ballots have their advantages too - even your cited "free democratic countries" use them at the parliamentary level.