Speaking to host Carmen Aristegui, presidential candidate Josefina Vazquez Mota said she thought Orayen was "very attractive" but that her dress was inappropriate for the generally serious nature of the debate, the first of two organized by the Federal Electoral Institute, or IFE (link in Spanish). Playing defense, a member of the IFE's governing council said that the edecan was hired by an independent production company contracted to organize the debate, but Councilor Alfredo Figueroa would not identify the producer (link in Spanish).  Image caption Julia Orayen and her white dress only appeared for 24 seconds of the debate, but some Mexicans thought she stole the show 
 
 The organisers of Sunday's televised presidential debate in Mexico have apologised because of the revealing dress worn by one of the production assistants.
– A televised Mexican presidential debate looked more like an episode of Wheel of Fortune thanks to a babealicious production assistant's cleavage-baring gown. She was so eye-popping that Mexico's election commission apologized. "We are sorry about the production error associated with the clothing of one of the assistants, and want to apologize to the citizens and candidates," said a commission statement. An independent production company hired the former Playboy playmate—who held a box with paper slips for the candidates to pick from that determined who would go first—and she was allowed to choose her own dress, reports the BBC. In fact, such women are fixtures in many political, entertainment, and business events in Mexico, and are considered a nod to the machismo culture, notes the Los Angeles Times. Known as edecans, they're frequently long-haired, beautiful women in sexy dresses and heels who serve as hostesses. An election commission member blasted the "outrageous stereotype" that overshadowed the presidential debate. The tight-fitting gown was "not in keeping with the seriousness of the debate," added presidential candidate Josefina Vazquez Mota.