-snip-
Take it this way;
Whether he is replaced or not doesn't really matter. There's no definite number of merit sources to do the job. Theymos can decide to use lesser or higher number of merit sources.
Of course that is up to theymos - but this will be important if for example the Nigerian local board or other active local board lack more merit distribution. If this wasn't important - then I would never get some users applying to be merit source.
The emphasis is on how much merits is in circulation and not who are those circulating them.
Then you will definitely get some users spend 3 to 5 merit on posts that have no value or lack of value. It would also increase the number of merit in circulation - perhap due to compatriot, brother and sister, husband, wive, relative or something like that.