If a man repents and possesses the Trinitarian faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, he is among the elect, as best as another human being can assess.
It's a matter of perspective. You say a man decides to repent, believes in Christ and thus possesses faith.
The Calvinist says God gives a man faith, man repents, and is thus saved.
We have differences, but it's important we describe those differences accurately. No one is "prevented" from repenting. All men are exhorted to repent. And if a man does repent, he is recognized as a recipient of God's grace and thus, is among the elect.
But it's God's call because it's God's gift of grace that causes us to believe. Nothing in man can save himself. All that is good is of God, especially salvation.
All over Hell hands are being raised saying "Excuse me! Excuse me!"
Dr. E., if man cannot repent unless he is regenerated. If the non-elect are not regenerated.
Then, the non-elect are prevented from repenting.
There is no other way to look at Calvinism.