If you want to use the past to justify the present then so be it, but not all of us are stuck in the past to deny facts. That vote was made in the middle of the War Arc, which is a solid +100chapters before the end of the manga
You can ask anyone to vote for their fav and the title character will always win. Why is this such a surprise, should the vote even be that close? Would Naruto even be popular if the manga wasn't named after him? Doubtful