RateTheRef

Speaking as someone who appoints officials and collates merit tables, it has always been based on merit.

I cant and wont begin to comment on something I dont know in regards the national league promotions.

What I will say is refs are now given their position rather than bandings, so for example a ref is 6 of 60.
However they have their own whats app groups or some other medium where they discuss each others position so it wouldnt be difficult to figure out if most posted on the group.
This would be more likely to be the case I would suggest  in geographical areas where they all know each other.