The emergency medicine doctor's view is one of six submissions on the election-cancelling Bill before Parliament.
Dr Chambers was one of the board members replaced by the commissioner regime last year.
Now, the Government wants to extend the regime by scrapping the scheduled 2016 election.
As a board member, Dr Chambers had been "shocked'' by how much took place behind closed doors, and that had got worse under the commissioner, he said in his submission.
He recalled that at meetings the public was "excluded from the room after literally a few minutes of hastily conducted public agenda''.
The commissioner regime now conducted its business entirely behind closed doors, he said.
He suggested public consultation under way was largely window dressing for changes that had already been decided.
The provision of health services could be undermined by what was happening, he believed.
Another submitter, Lucy Gray, said people showed a passion for health in the neurosurgical campaign and should not be denied a vote just because the board had problems.
"There is no denying that Otago people have serious concerns about the management of the board - almost daily there are articles in local print media, social media and radio.
"The solution to this is not to remove all participation from the people of the region ...'', Ms Gray's submission said.
Alison Broad, of Southland, said her area was losing its voice in the health board.
First, it lost its own health board through a merger with Otago, and then elected members were replaced with commissioners, none of whom was in Southland.
"I am mystified, as well as greatly concerned, that we have had our democratic rights removed ...''
The New Zealand Nurses' Organisation said it cautiously supported the sacking of the board last year, but it opposed the extension of the commissioner regime.
Suspension of democracy should be only a temporary situation, the nurses' union submission argued.
"The extended period of non-elected representation undermines the democratic ideals of decision-making being informed and guided by public input.''
The commissioner team's input could be retained by putting them on an elected board as the appointed members, the union said.
"We suggest the minister appoint them to the SDHB, without sacrificing the southern communities' right to scrutinise and be heard.''
In its submission, Ngai Tahu said it was not opposed to scrapping the election, but it was concerned at a lack of provision to give iwi a say.
"If the commissioners are to remain in place until the proposed 2019 election, the governance arrangements must provide for Ngai Tahu-appointed representation alongside the Government-appointed commissioners.''
A sixth submission's meaning was unclear.
The New Zealand Public Health and Disability (Southern DHB) Elections Bill passed its first reading last December, and is before the health select committee.
