The WT is trying to muddy the water with the new policies and they may cause some confusion, but the facts are the facts. The elders are essentially branch controlled robots. The branch controls ownership of the church property and the exact qualifications and procedures for the elder position.
The secret elder book is exhibit A. Exhibit B is the form that is sent by the BOE to the CO a month before his visit listing any brother that is being looked at for appointment. Next evidence is getting their hands on leaked procedures that are followed by the CO in the month between getting the form from the BOE and holding the meeting with the BOE to go over potential appointments.
What happens is this: The CO contacts the branch to go over the listed recommendations. So it is just a shell game. The branch still tells the CO whom he can and whom he can't appoint.
The WT has essentially created a few artificial layers between themselves and the elders, but it's still business as usual. I suppose they are giving their legal department something to play legal games with - i.e. lie about in court - when the time comes to determine liability.
So much for "leaving things in Jehovah's hands".
-TE