Here is the link to the stats about ELC referrals. According to the graph, 909 referral applicants applied and 659 were admitted. No reason is given for why not all referrals were admitted but I am sure the “space provision” may have played at part.
https://irds.ucmerced.edu/sites/irds.ucmerced.edu/files/documents/uc_merced_profile_-_july_2018.pdf