Nazarbayev ruled a dictatorship in Kazakhstan. He has been accused of human rights abuses by several human rights organisations and suppressed dissent and presided over an authoritarian regime. According to independent observers, from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, no election held in Kazakhstan since independence has been free and fair by international standards. In the country's first open direct presidential election, held in 1991, he appeared alone on the ballot with no opposing candidates and won 98% of the vote. An April 1995 referendum extended Nazarbayev's term until 2000 and in August of that year, a constitutional referendum was held which allowed for a new draft for the Constitution of Kazakhstan. In 1999, Nazarbayev was re-elected for 2nd term and again in 2005. In 2010, he announced reforms to encourage a multi-party system. This led to the reinstatement of various parties in Parliament following the 2012 legislative elections, although having little influence and opposition as the parties supported and voted with the government while Nur Otan still had dominant-party control of the Mazhilis. In 2015, Nazarbayev was re-elected with almost 98% of the vote, as he ran virtually unopposed. In January 2017, Nazarbayev proposed constitutional reforms that would delegate powers to the Parliament of Kazakhstan. In May 2018, the Parliament approved a constitutional amendment allowing Nazarbayev to serve as president of the Security Council for life.