What about those people who demerited someone? They have already added the smerits to their balances.
Fixed already.It's actually gone, those are just cached.
I am definitely for all improvements to the forum and getting rid of spam posts. I just wish it started after the next rank up period as I was set to become a member with activity of 60. Thanks again for trying to make this a better system.
Just do quality posts. It's easy man! 
I have 500 merits as hero member. Does it mean this is minimum and I can't lose it?
Yes, as no one can demerit you (for now).-snip
New users don't start with any sMerit.