An election must be free and fair and I'm confident that it's going as it suppose to be, The entire mods are watching and if they are not satisfied, they would have alarmed the voting system.
The rule says a Voter must have earned 50 merits or be a Full member and believe after the whole voting, there will begin a transparent counting and full audit. Concerning participants meriting voters, I think they are just appreciating their voters for recognizing their efforts in the forum.

Permit me to ask you, Do you go out to vote during presidential elections? There is something called Influential voting behavior, it happens between peer groups, family, and friends, that's exactly what you noticed and makes you feel uncomfortable.

For example,
In the Scambuster nomination, I chose Ratimov because I am familiar with his thread until I notice everyone included lovesmayfamilis and you know what, They both deserve that nomination and I have to pick both of them in that category.