I couldn't find anything more specific that gives the essence that “merit” means, for the actual awarding in a competition, the most merit, that it's not just a base floor but getting the best, that in a competition between three or four people, you have some documentation, of course, but indeed, all things being considered, one individual is going to receive the most merit and the appointment is based on that rational principle, rather than something else, all the things we're trying to protect against because we're defining ourselves in merit.
Je ne pourrais trouver rien de plus précis qui définit le «mérite». Dans le cas d'un concours, choisir celui qui a le plus de mérite; pas seulement un niveau minimal mais le meilleur; dans un concours entre trois ou quatre personnes, vous disposez de certains documents, bien sûr, mais en fait toutes choses étant égales, une personne sera celle qui figure la première dans la liste par ordre de mérite.