World Notes MONGOLIA

The world's second oldest Communist state took a step toward democracy last week when it held its first free multiparty elections ever. About 92% of Mongolia's 735,000 registered voters cast ballots.

As expected, the ruling Communist Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party took advantage of superior organization and finances to rout the fledgling opposition. Of 799 candidates who survived the first round of voting, virtually all but 101 were Communists. The winners will compete this week in a runoff for 430 seats on the People's Great Hural, the national parliament.

Washington hailed the election as a sign of the Mongolian people's commitment to a democratic system. "The Communists won in Bulgaria too," said Secretary of State James Baker, who is to arrive in Mongolia Thursday for a four-day visit. "So you shouldn't test a democracy by whether or not your favorite might win."