UPDATE 1-EU election turnout rises for the first time, hits 50%

Around half of eligible voters cast their ballot in European elections, a bloc-wide estimate showed on Sunday, the first time turnout has risen in four decades of continent-wide voting.For 27 of the 28 EU states - all except the United Kingdom - the estimate came at 51%, a European Parliament official said.Turnout in the last European elections in 2014 hit a historic low of below 43%.