Didn't we have similar controversy last year as well. A user who was giving merit to guys last year and he became a winner in one category? We should have learnt something from that experience.

Let me put my two sat in this conversation.

I voted for El duderino_. He sent me 4 merit. Will the community say that I voted him because to get those 4 merits?
Ratimov seems sending merit to those who mentioned him at least once at least after checking some post before and after my voting post. Will we say that those who voted for Ratimov knew that they will get merit for it?

What will and what will not is an argument but it seems merit was playing a vital role in this fun event which none of us expected. There are always those culprits who are okay to ruin the fun to get their personal gains.

I think since this has gone out of the hand, it's better to suspended this season and from the next season make a strict rule that no one is allowed to send merit to any post. If anyone found to send merit to a post that contains his nomination or even do not contain his nomination they will be just disqualified. Consider this, when a name is always in front of you, you are biased to mention the name. Watch it!