This update for merit system for having one merit to be eligible for newbie to become jr member is good. It will penetrate and lessen the problem of multiple account and the forum will be cleaned.
It is good in a lot of ways however the problem now is that for multiple accounts they're sending merit from one account to another.
Btw OP I believe that this topic is not suitable in this board probably in meta or begginers and help as this is not all about altcoin. Regarding bounty campaigns there are good managers that they still remain the stakes for those demoted members and they are generous enough to do that kind of action.