Manual Lock-In

Is there a reason selecting a champ at declare doesn't lock you in? I don't mind the current system, but declaring no longer leaves your face faded, so the difference between declared and locked is zilch.

I think I'm super pissed right now because I'm on a time crunch. Until it gets resolved I'm just not going to declare, but out of a sense of curiosity I figured I'd ask why during my 6 minute "think about it" period.