I Think these rules will work.
Junior : above 5 merit
Member : Above 80 Merit
Full Member: Above 220 Merit
Senior : Above 450 Merit
This is more relevant and very powerful to protect this thread from spamming. So far there are so many counting down here from a distance which makes this thread difficult to control, this rule is more effective and makes sense when someone applying here is almost close to a new rank.
Hopefully those applying here can respect the new rules implemented by OP for the common good.
I'm not bothered by how far the countdown is made. as long as they make one post and only edit and update when they get close to or have reached their countdown. instead of making their posting quotes every time they get a little progress from the merits they get. Such behavior is seen as begging for merit.
now that the OP has updated the rules, we can ignore anyone who violates them.