In 1967, in anticipation of municipal elections throughout Ecuador, the Pulvapies foot powder company launched an advertising campaign that featured the slogan: "Vote for any candidate, but if you want hygiene, vote for Pulvapies." Immediately before the election it also distributed thousands of leaflets which read: "For Mayor: Honorable Pulvapies". The leaflets were the same size and color as official voting papers.

Residents of the small coastal town of Picoaza (pop. 4000) took the advice to heart. A majority of them wrote "Honorable Pulvapies" on their ballots, making the foot powder their new mayor. Many voters in other municipalities marked their ballots similarly.

Was the election of Pulvapies a protest vote, or an indication of poor literacy skills in the region? That wasn't clear. Nevertheless, it left the electoral tribunal with a dilemma: What to do when a foot powder is legitimately elected? The losing candidates threatened to sue the foot powder company.