I stand to be corrected there are over 100 merit sources in the forum and has been very diligent in the approach of there duties.
If that number is said to be true then I guess we should be able to feel it. Only few of them is what I really see and feel, not counting the staff and mods for I know they're been automatically nominated as a Source.
Maybe less than 20 of the Merit Sources are really active on giving out their sMerits across the whole forum, then the others are merely on their specified local boards.
I’d describe it as a scheme to get sMerit. 
Well, it depends on the current Sources whether they'll share their sMerits or not. But still, we can't deny for having it looked like that.Merit sources are needed in the local sections for members that don't speak proper English but still contribute to their local boards.
Indeed, if only there are a complete set of Merit Source for every boards then I guess applications would be considered as faulty and considered only for their own-benefits. But the fact that we haven't, these applications would be considered as valid unless the candidates are known for being not worthy (known cheaters, abusers).As we can see, most of those applications we're only made just because they see a lack of Merit distributions somewhere in this forum. (Just like mine)
I doubt that the intention behind postulating to become a Merit Source is to get merited. That normally comes as some sort of vouch, appreciation for the candidacy, or kick-off sum to show what he will do if appointed. Being a Merit Source is also not a treat, but rather much a responsibility that implies criteria and investing time.
If application numbers are increasing somewhat, it could denote a real interest in boosting a specific board or local section, based on inner knowledge from observation of what is going on there. Specifically, local boards applications are a good way of denoting a lack of merit there, especially if they are backed with a clear case stating why they consider there is a lack of merit and providing an idea of the number of good posts that go unmerited or undermerited (and not a link to a list of already well merited posts).
Indeed. But we can't blame the other users for seeing it like that, for almost all of these applications is being given some Merits due to the own discretion of the other Users who has extra sMerits.If application numbers are increasing somewhat, it could denote a real interest in boosting a specific board or local section, based on inner knowledge from observation of what is going on there. Specifically, local boards applications are a good way of denoting a lack of merit there, especially if they are backed with a clear case stating why they consider there is a lack of merit and providing an idea of the number of good posts that go unmerited or undermerited (and not a link to a list of already well merited posts).
Only theymos can asnwer such issue whether he will consider some boards (like our local) to have some/additional Merit Source.
