Why did members of the chartist movement demand the use of secret ballots?

Members of the Chartist movement demanded the use of secret ballots to ensure that voters could express their choices without fear of intimidation or coercion. They believed that a secret ballot would promote genuine democracy by allowing individuals to vote according to their true preferences, free from outside pressure. This demand was part of a broader campaign for political reforms aimed at expanding suffrage and improving representation for the working class. Overall, the secret ballot was seen as a crucial safeguard for electoral integrity and individual rights.